Celebrating Bonfire Night safely

With Bonfire Night celebrations due to take place this weekend, we’re sharing our top safety tips for the night, so you can enjoy yourself, keep safe and avoid any unnecessary injuries!

We would always recommend that you attend a professionally organised firework display.

However, if you are planning to celebrate at home, please keep our top tips in mind for a safe evening:

• Position bonfires away from sheds, fences and trees.
• Light fireworks at arm’s length.
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
• Direct any rocket fireworks away from any spectators.
• Always supervise children when they are using sparklers.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
• Read and follow the instructions on each firework.
• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
• Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
• Never use paraffin, petrol or any accelerant on a bonfire to get it going.

The Trust is also reminding people how to deal with burns should it be needed:

• Stop the burning process as soon as possible.This may mean removing the person from the area, dousing flames with water or smothering flames with a blanket if they are on the person.  Do not put yourself at risk of getting burnt as well.
• Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burnt area of skin. However, don't try to remove anything that is stuck to the burnt skin because this could cause more damage.
• Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm water for no more than 20 minutes. Never use ice, iced water or any creams or greasy substances such as butter.
• Keep yourself or the person warm. Use a blanket or layers of clothing but avoid putting them on the injured area. Keeping warm will prevent hypothermia, where a person's body temperature drops below 35ºC (95ºF). This is a risk if you are cooling a large burnt area, particularly in young children and elderly people.
• Cover the burn with cling film. Put the cling film in a layer over the burn, rather than wrapping it around a limb. A clean clear plastic bag can be used for burns on your hand.
• Treat the pain from a burn with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always check the manufacturer's instructions when using over the counter medication. Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin.
• If you are concerned seek medical advice by calling 111 or in an emergency, call 999.

We’re here if you need us in an emergency. On these dark winter nights, make sure your lights are on so we can see you!

Have a happy and SAFE Bonfire Night from #TeamEEAST!