Play it safe on Bonfire night (From Milford Mercury)

Play it safe on Bonfire night

8:18am Saturday 3rd November 2007

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ALCOHOL and gunpowder don't mix.

This is one of the key messages from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service ahead of Bonfire Night celebrations on Monday.

Pembrokeshire commander Jonathan Llewellyn said anyone intending to use fireworks should take the utmost care when they are storing, handling and setting off the devices.

He said: "A trip to accident and emergency or a fire-damaged property is not going to make for a fun Bonfire Night.

"So the best advice we can give people is to attend an organised fireworks display or bonfire.

"If you are having your own celebration use common sense and follow the fireworks code."

Fireworks cause hundreds of avoidable injuries every year.

Between 2000 and 2005, more than 6,500 people were hurt and required hospital treatment across the UK. Statistics show that many of those hurt are children under the age of 16.

Commander Llewellyn also advised people to only buy fireworks marked BS 7114, keep fireworks in a closed box, follow the instructions on each firework, light at arm's length and stand well back.

He went on to say you should never go near a firework that has been lit, even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode.

Never put them in your pocket or throw them and always supervise children around fireworks.

Light sparklers one at a time wearing gloves and never give one to a child under five. He added that pets should be kept indoors.

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