Guy Fawkes day: be careful

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 261, 1 November 1988, Page 5

Guy Fawkes day: be careful

Each year children are hurt when not enough care is taken with crackers, skyrockets and other fireworks.

The law helps t o protect us. I t says: • You must be 1 4 years old or over before you can be sold fireworks. • Fireworks can be sold only between October 27 and November 5 (Guy Fawkes Day). Some ways you can protect yourself are: Choose a safe place to let off your fireworks. Ask yourself: Is there plenty of open spuce? Is it away from anything which could catch fire? Is there water available in case of an emergency? Store and carry your fireworks carefully. Keep them • Out of reach of young children • In a box or bag (not in your pocket) • Away from heat or flames • Read the instructions on your fireworks before Guy Fawkes • Read each one again befpre you light it • Have an adult with you to help. Sometimes it's safer for an adult to light fireworks • Stand your fire-

works in dirt, sand, or on a firm, flat surface • Use a bottle to stand sky rockets in. Make sure the rocket is pointed in a safe direction • Light your fireworks at arm's length, and then stand well back. Keep clear of fireworks which have been lit, but haven't gone off Some ways you can help to protect others are: • Look after young children • Keep animals away from fireworks. Remember that throwing fireworks can injure people and animals, and damage property If things g o wrong, remember what to do: If clothes catch fire Stop where you are. This helps to prevent the flames spreading. Drop to the ground. Flames burn upwards, so if you drop to the ground it will help prevent them reaching your face. Cross your arms over your face to keep the flames away. Roll over and over to put out the flames. If a coat, blanket or rug is nearby, wrap it around yourself and roll. Burns Cool the burn by

putting it under cold, running water for at least 10 minutes. You could use a hose, a tap or a bucket of water to cool it. If you are at a beach, lake or river, use the water nearby. Put a clean dressing over the burn and visit a doctor, or call an ambulance. Eye Injury Try not to rub your eye. Keep your eye closed. Cover your eye with a pad of cotton wool, held in place by

a bandage. Visit a doctor or call an ambulance. Fire breaks out Call the fire brigade. If somebody's life or property is in danger, use the emergency number - 111. If you live in an area that doesn't have a 111 service, check the number in the "Emergency Services" section in the front of your telephone directory.

Helen

Pocknall

Public Health Nurse