Sparklers should not be given to anyone under the age of five. To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is equivalent to the heat from a welding torch.
Firework safety tips
Sparklers are often viewed as being harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures of around 2000°C.
Sparklers should not be given to anyone under the age of five. To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is equivalent to the heat from a welding torch.
Figures show that more children than adults are injured by fireworks. Over the last five years over 70% of people treated in hospital for firework injuries were under the age of 16.
Children under five
- Never give sparklers to under fives.
- Never hold a baby in your arms when you are holding a sparkler.
- Always supervise young children closely.
All children
- Supervise all children carefully and keep them well back from the bonfire and fireworks.
- Always light sparklers one at a time.
- Show older children how to hold sparklers – away from their body and at arm’s length – teach them never to wave it about near someone else as they could burn them.
- Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes that could catch alight easily, and give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers.
- When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water straight away and leave it there.
- Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
- Steer clear of alcohol if you’re running a display or looking after children.
The Fireworks code
- Only buy fireworks marked BS7114
- Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
- Keep fireworks in a closed box
- Follow the instructions on each firework
- Light at arms length, using a taper
- Stand well back
- Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode
- Never put fireworks in your pockets 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
