South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS
Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is urging people to be sensible and
stay safe and injury free this bonfire and firework season.

SECAmb is asking that people follow some
simple safety tips and advice and that they use common sense to
keep themselves, their family and friends safe. The Trust is also
advising people to attend local professionally-organised events.
Anyone celebrating with fireworks at home is urged to follow the
safety advice below.

Top safety advice
includes:

  • 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
    thrown them.
  • Follow safety instructions if using
    sparklers.
  • Drinking alcohol and lighting fireworks don’t
    mix.
  • Consider whether younger children would
    prefer to watch fireworks from inside.

SECAmb Head of Resilience and Specialist
Operations, Andy Cashman said: “Sadly every year we deal with
people being injured by fireworks or bonfires. We’re urging
everyone to keep themselves and others safe by following our simple
advice.

“We’re encouraging people to attend organised
events. We want people to have a good time and enjoy themselves but
we also want them to be safe and sensible. If people are
celebrating at home they need to remember the dangers and take all
the necessary precautions.”

SECAmb supported National Burns Awareness Day
earlier this month.

While most burns are usually minor, 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

More information on firework safety can be
found at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Safer
Fireworks website – http://www.saferfireworks.com/.