22 September 2003

Website aims to cut down firework injuries

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) today launched a new website - www.saferfireworks.com - aimed at reducing the number of firework injuries in Northern Ireland.

Last year 38 people where injured by fireworks in the province over the Halloween period, 75% of whom were males, mostly under the age of 20.

Victoria Dunn, Project Officer for RoSPA, said: “With the change in legislation last year we did see a 72% decrease in the number injured by fireworks. But sadly most injuries were to hands, faces and eyes, and these are the ones that can leave lasting scars. With the help of our new website we hope to see a further decrease in injuries in 2003.”

The new website shows detailed information about how to organise a successful display, as well as general fireworks safety advice, including buying fireworks, setting up a firing sequence, safety equipment needed, the law and what to do if something goes wrong.

The site, which also has a week-by-week checklist for the run-up to Halloween, is a joint initiative with Home Accident Prevention NI.

Following the introduction of the Explosives (Fireworks) Regulations Northern Ireland in May 2002 a fireworks licence must be obtained from the NIO for garden fireworks - the only exceptions are sparklers and indoor fireworks.

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