Post by Madhatter on Oct 29, 2012 12:51:37 GMT
Firework Code
Firework Top Ten Safety Code for Adults
Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.
FireworksPlan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Keep Your Family Safe
Did You Know?
It is against the law to carry fireworks in public if you're under 18
Fireworks must not be sold to anyone who is under 18
It is an offence to let fireworks off during night hours (11pm to 7am), except on Bonfire Night (midnight), Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year (1am)
It is an offence under the Explosives Act 1875 to tamper with or modify fireworks
Did you know that sparklers can reach temperatures more than 15 times as hot as boiling water?
Having fireworks at home can be great fun, as long as they are used safely. Figures show more children rather than adults get hurt by fireworks. Over the past five years over 350 pre-school children, some only a year old, were treated in hospital for fireworks injuries.
FireworksBe safe not sorry
Fireworks are safe if you use them properly. If you’re putting on a home display, you should follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt.
Keep kids safe
We want children to enjoy fireworks but they need to know that they can be dangerous if they are not used properly. Each year, over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children.
Sparkler safety
Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil? Sparklers are not toys and should never be given to a child under five.
Where to buy
Don’t cut corners just to save a few quid. Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS 7114 written on the box.
Sometimes shops open up for a short time before Bonfire Night but these may not be the best places to buy fireworks from. Staff in these shops might not be very knowledgeable about using fireworks safely and their fireworks might not meet British Standards.
Whatever you do, don’t buy fireworks from anywhere you’re not sure about, such as the back of a van or from a temporary, unlicensed market stall.
What to buy
There are different categories of fireworks. Members of the public can buy and set off most of the fireworks that come under Categories 1 to 3. These are fireworks that include those that you can use indoors, in your garden or at a display. Always read the packet carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you are going to set them off.
Professional fireworksClick here to return to the top of the page
Some fireworks can only be bought and used by firework professionals. These include: air bombs; aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar; all bangers; mini rockets; fireworks with erratic flight; some Category 2 and 3 fireworks which exceed certain size limits; and all Category 4 fireworks.
Setting them off
Only one person should be in charge of fireworks. If that’s you, then make sure you take all the necessary precautions. Read the instructions in daylight and don’t drink any alcohol until they’ve all been discharged. Make your preparations in advance, and in daylight. On the night, you will need...
A torch
A bucket or two of water
Eye protection and gloves
A bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in
Suitable supports and launchers if you’re setting off catherine wheels or rockets.
Think of your neighbours…
Let your neighbours know if you are planning a fireworks party, they may have pets which should be kept indoors. In rural areas this could include larger animals such as horses and donkeys in stables nearby . In addition it would be kind to let elderly neighbours and families with young children know there may be some loud bangs. Remember…fireworks can be fun, but have consideration for others!
Animal Welfare
Keep Your Family Safe
Animal Welfare
Did You Know?
It is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals
Animals have very acute hearing. Loud bangs and whistles may cause them actual pain in their ears.
Protect Your Animals
Although fireworks are fun for us, they are not fun for animals. Most animals get very scared by the lights and noise, so you should take precautions to protect your pets during the times of the year when fireworks are likely to be set off.
The animal charity Blue Cross says that the best thing you can do is to keep your pets indoors. This includes bringing in pets that are normally kept outside, such as rabbits or guinea pigs.
Close all of your windows and doors and try to drown out the noise as much as possible. And make sure that cats and dogs have name tags on them in case the noise scares them and they run off.
Blue Cross has a leaflet with more detailed advice on keeping your pets safe from fireworks.
www.bluecross.org.uk/2154-88390/fireworks-and-animals.html
Penalties
Under section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals. The penalty on conviction is a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months imprisonment, or both. Enforcement of this section of the Act rests with Trading Standards, the Police or the RSPCA as appropriate.
Firework curfew
Recent changes to the law mean that fireworks can't be set off between 11pm and 7am (apart from on 5 November, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, when the curfew is later). Hopefully, this curfew will keep to a minimum the times when animals and people are disturbed by fireworks.
RoSPA acknowledges that information on these pages is used courtesy of the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (formerly the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.)
Keep Your Family Safe
Bonfires & Sparklers
Have a great time with family and friends, but don’t spoil the party with an accident. Just take a few sensible precautions...
Bonfires
Children should be supervised. One person should be responsible for the bonfire
Choose a site away from wooden fences, sheds and well away from where children will be playing
Never pour petrol or meths onto a fire, it’s safer to use fire lighters to prevent flare-ups
Keep a bucket of water handy in case of an accident
Avoid loose clothing and tie back long hair
After the party pour water on the fire, rather than leaving it to burn out
Sparklers
These are often viewed as harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures and can easily cause injuries
Never give sparklers to very young children
Make sure everyone handling sparklers wears gloves
Hold sparklers at arms length while being lit
Don’t wave sparklers about close to other people
Never hold a baby in your arms while you are holding a sparkler
When the sparkler has finished put it in a bucket of cold water
First Aid Hints for Burns
If clothing is on fire, lie the person down wrapped in heavy material such as a coat or blanket (not made of nylon) and roll them over and over to put the flames out
DON’T use ANY kind of creams, butter, oil or lotions
For all burns on young children – SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
In all cases if the burn is severe – SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
Source: “Bonfires, Bangers & Barbecues†a RoSPA leaflet [HS255] sponsored by HSBC Bank plc.
RoSPA acknowledges that information on these pages is used courtesy of the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (formerly the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.)
Firework Top Ten Safety Code for Adults
Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.
FireworksPlan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Keep Your Family Safe
Did You Know?
It is against the law to carry fireworks in public if you're under 18
Fireworks must not be sold to anyone who is under 18
It is an offence to let fireworks off during night hours (11pm to 7am), except on Bonfire Night (midnight), Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year (1am)
It is an offence under the Explosives Act 1875 to tamper with or modify fireworks
Did you know that sparklers can reach temperatures more than 15 times as hot as boiling water?
Having fireworks at home can be great fun, as long as they are used safely. Figures show more children rather than adults get hurt by fireworks. Over the past five years over 350 pre-school children, some only a year old, were treated in hospital for fireworks injuries.
FireworksBe safe not sorry
Fireworks are safe if you use them properly. If you’re putting on a home display, you should follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt.
Keep kids safe
We want children to enjoy fireworks but they need to know that they can be dangerous if they are not used properly. Each year, over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children.
Sparkler safety
Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil? Sparklers are not toys and should never be given to a child under five.
Where to buy
Don’t cut corners just to save a few quid. Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS 7114 written on the box.
Sometimes shops open up for a short time before Bonfire Night but these may not be the best places to buy fireworks from. Staff in these shops might not be very knowledgeable about using fireworks safely and their fireworks might not meet British Standards.
Whatever you do, don’t buy fireworks from anywhere you’re not sure about, such as the back of a van or from a temporary, unlicensed market stall.
What to buy
There are different categories of fireworks. Members of the public can buy and set off most of the fireworks that come under Categories 1 to 3. These are fireworks that include those that you can use indoors, in your garden or at a display. Always read the packet carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you are going to set them off.
Professional fireworksClick here to return to the top of the page
Some fireworks can only be bought and used by firework professionals. These include: air bombs; aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar; all bangers; mini rockets; fireworks with erratic flight; some Category 2 and 3 fireworks which exceed certain size limits; and all Category 4 fireworks.
Setting them off
Only one person should be in charge of fireworks. If that’s you, then make sure you take all the necessary precautions. Read the instructions in daylight and don’t drink any alcohol until they’ve all been discharged. Make your preparations in advance, and in daylight. On the night, you will need...
A torch
A bucket or two of water
Eye protection and gloves
A bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in
Suitable supports and launchers if you’re setting off catherine wheels or rockets.
Think of your neighbours…
Let your neighbours know if you are planning a fireworks party, they may have pets which should be kept indoors. In rural areas this could include larger animals such as horses and donkeys in stables nearby . In addition it would be kind to let elderly neighbours and families with young children know there may be some loud bangs. Remember…fireworks can be fun, but have consideration for others!
Animal Welfare
Keep Your Family Safe
Animal Welfare
Did You Know?
It is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals
Animals have very acute hearing. Loud bangs and whistles may cause them actual pain in their ears.
Protect Your Animals
Although fireworks are fun for us, they are not fun for animals. Most animals get very scared by the lights and noise, so you should take precautions to protect your pets during the times of the year when fireworks are likely to be set off.
The animal charity Blue Cross says that the best thing you can do is to keep your pets indoors. This includes bringing in pets that are normally kept outside, such as rabbits or guinea pigs.
Close all of your windows and doors and try to drown out the noise as much as possible. And make sure that cats and dogs have name tags on them in case the noise scares them and they run off.
Blue Cross has a leaflet with more detailed advice on keeping your pets safe from fireworks.
www.bluecross.org.uk/2154-88390/fireworks-and-animals.html
Penalties
Under section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals. The penalty on conviction is a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months imprisonment, or both. Enforcement of this section of the Act rests with Trading Standards, the Police or the RSPCA as appropriate.
Firework curfew
Recent changes to the law mean that fireworks can't be set off between 11pm and 7am (apart from on 5 November, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, when the curfew is later). Hopefully, this curfew will keep to a minimum the times when animals and people are disturbed by fireworks.
RoSPA acknowledges that information on these pages is used courtesy of the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (formerly the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.)
Keep Your Family Safe
Bonfires & Sparklers
Have a great time with family and friends, but don’t spoil the party with an accident. Just take a few sensible precautions...
Bonfires
Children should be supervised. One person should be responsible for the bonfire
Choose a site away from wooden fences, sheds and well away from where children will be playing
Never pour petrol or meths onto a fire, it’s safer to use fire lighters to prevent flare-ups
Keep a bucket of water handy in case of an accident
Avoid loose clothing and tie back long hair
After the party pour water on the fire, rather than leaving it to burn out
Sparklers
These are often viewed as harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures and can easily cause injuries
Never give sparklers to very young children
Make sure everyone handling sparklers wears gloves
Hold sparklers at arms length while being lit
Don’t wave sparklers about close to other people
Never hold a baby in your arms while you are holding a sparkler
When the sparkler has finished put it in a bucket of cold water
First Aid Hints for Burns
If clothing is on fire, lie the person down wrapped in heavy material such as a coat or blanket (not made of nylon) and roll them over and over to put the flames out
DON’T use ANY kind of creams, butter, oil or lotions
For all burns on young children – SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
In all cases if the burn is severe – SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
Source: “Bonfires, Bangers & Barbecues†a RoSPA leaflet [HS255] sponsored by HSBC Bank plc.
RoSPA acknowledges that information on these pages is used courtesy of the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (formerly the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.)
