Firework accidents and injuries
Every year adults and children are injured or harmed by fireworks
even though the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Trading Standards Officers
work extremely hard to enforce legislation and prevent accidents.
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a firework-related accident
through no fault of your own you could be entitled to compensation,
call now on 0844 858 3200 or complete our online enquiry form
to see how we can help you.
In 2005 (the last recorded stats) between 11 Oct – 8 Nov
there were 990 people injured by firework accidents.
If you are attending a bonfire party or pyrotechnic display take extra care when
it comes to your family's health and safety as well as your own.
"A sparkler burns at 2,000 oc
which is 20 times boiling point"
Typical firework accident injuries
Burns and scalds are the most common type of firework injury and
they are extremely painful and can cause:
- nerve damage
- tendon, ligament or muscle damage
- permanent scarring, and
- in severe cases they can even be fatal
We all know the sad fact that burn injuries cause physical damage, but victims can
also suffer from psychological and emotional problems.
Important facts about pyrotechnics:
- It is against the law to possess them in public if you are under 18
- It is against the law to throw or set off fireworks in the street
- They must not be sold to anyone who is under 18
- It is an offence to let them off during night hours (11pm to 7am), except on Bonfire
Night (midnight), Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year (1am)
Prevent firework accidents
We all agree that watching pyrotechnics is great fun, but they are explosives and
burn at high temperatures, so they must be carefully handled and stored appropriately.
Make sure you follow the firework code:
- Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
- Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
- Keep them in a closed box
- Follow the instructions on each firework
- Light at arm's length, using a taper
- Stand well back
- Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it has not gone off, it could
still explode
- Never put them in your pocket or throw them
- Always supervise children around fireworks
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
- Never give sparklers to a child under 5
- Keep pets indoors
Claim compensation
If you or a member of your family has been injured in firework accident
through no fault of your own you could be entitled to compensation. Call our
personal injury compensation solicitors on 0844 858 3200 or complete
our online enquiry form and we will call you back.
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