Fireworks often play a big part in celebrations like Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year.
Between 2014 and 2019, our firefighters responded to some 1,760 bonfire and fireworks-related incidents, so we’re asking people in the West Midlands to help avoid a surge this year.
During the same period, there were more than 1,000 severe burn injuries involving fireworks in England and Wales, with 38% of these involving under-15s and the majority being male.
Users often forget that fireworks are explosives and burn at high temperatures, so they need careful handling and storage.
If you do have your own fireworks display, follow our safety tips and guides below.
- keep pets indoors – animals can get scared by the lights and noise from fireworks
- never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
- never throw used fireworks on a bonfire
- take care around bonfires – all clothes, even those labelled ‘low flammability’, can catch fire.
Lighting fireworks
- only one person should be responsible for letting off fireworks
- don’t drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks
- light them at arm’s length, using a taper
- make sure everyone stands well back
- never go back to a firework that has been lit – even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode without warning.
What you’ll need on the night
- a metal box with a lid to store the fireworks – take them out one at a time
- a bucket of water – to cool sparklers and put out any small fires
- eye protection and gloves
- a bucket of earth to stick fireworks in.
