South East Coast Ambulance Service, (SECAmb), is asking people to follow safety advice and act sensibly as bonfire and fireworks night approaches. With Diwali also falling on 14 November, SECAmb wishes everyone celebrating a safe and happy Diwali.

The Trust is urging everyone celebrating over the bonfire and Diwali period to follow some simple advice to stay injury free and avoid the need to seek medical assistance or call 999.

With public events not taking place due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is thought that some will look to mark bonfire night on a smaller scale at home. With this bringing the potential for increased risk of injury, everyone is asked to take particular care.

SECAmb Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Manager Dave Nelson said: “It is a sad fact that we will be called to injuries caused by fireworks or bonfires every year. The huge majority of these incidents are avoidable. By closely following safety advice people can stay safe, avoid injury and also avoid the need to contact the ambulance service.

“With no public events taking place, we are expecting more people to celebrate at home. If anyone if planning this, it is vital they take all the necessary precautions.

The ambulance service already busy and we appreciate the public’s support to keep everyone safe.”

Fireworks and bonfire safety advice:

  • Never use petrol or other chemicals on a bonfire
  • Keep fireworks in a closed box away from children and use them one at a time
  • Read any instructions carefully using a torch if necessary
  • Never smoke around fireworks
  • Light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper and stand at a safe distance
  • Never return to a firework once it has been lit
  • Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
  • Follow safety instructions if using sparklers
  • Drinking alcohol and lighting fireworks do not mix
  • Consider whether younger children would prefer to watch fireworks from inside

More information on firework safety can be found at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Safer Fireworks website – https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/advice/fireworks-safety

National Burn Awareness Day took place earlier this month (Wednesday 14 October). Giving the right first aid quickly following a burn or a scald can significantly improve a person’s recovery time and limit the severity of any scarring.

People can make a real difference to someone’s recovery from a burn by remembering to “Cool, Call and Cover”:

  • Cool the burn with running cold tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and jewellery (unless it is melted or firmly struck to the wound)
  • Call for help – you can call the NHS 111 service for initial advice on treating burns or call your local GP. In an emergency, call 999
  • Cover the burn with cling film or a sterile, non-fluffy dressing or cloth.  Make sure the patient is kept warm

An online video, produced by Queen Victoria Hospital can be viewed on Youtube via the following link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zExT8eNLnR0