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Basic bonfire night safety

Watching fireworks is popular and fun, but fireworks are explosives and burn at high temperatures, so they need careful handling and storage. Childalert, the child safety and wellbeing organisation, refreshes your firework safety knowledge

Follow these guidelines for a safe fireworks party:

• Only buy fireworks marked with British Standard 7114
• Keep fireworks in a closed box
• Follow the instructions on each firework
• Light all fireworks at arms length
• Stand well back
• Never go back to a lit firework
• Never put fireworks in your pocket
• Never throw fireworks
• Never light fireworks after 11pm
• Keep pets indoors
• Always supervise children

Only one person should be in charge of your firework display. 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 Sparkler safety

Sparklers can be extremely dangerous and should never be seen as a safer alternative. 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 and never be used unsupervised by an adult.

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