With shops selling bigger and better fireworks each year, and parties popping up aplenty across Dorset, there is no better time to enjoy the grand display of colour, light and sound of a fireworks or bonfire night event.

Here are my top tips to stay safe, or react confidently in a first aid situation at one of these events:-

Fireworks are not a toy!

All fireworks are dangerous, containing highly flammable and combustible materials, often being highly irritable to the skin. They should be handled correctly, following all instructions on the box or wrapping.

If the unfortunate should happen, such as being burnt by a firework, the golden rule to remember is to irrigate the wound under cold fresh water for at least 10 minutes.

During which time, you should look for symptoms of someone going into shock, ie. pale, clammy skin, feeling sick or unwell or dizzy. If this is the case, lay the casualty down, raise their legs up on a chair or pillow but keep on applying cold water to the burn or wound.

Then apply a ‘burns dressing’ which should be in your HSE approved first aid kit. (If you don’t have one of these, use clingfilm to cover the wound then seek medical advice).
After 10 minutes if the wound is bigger than your open hand call 999/1112. This is a burn above 1%. 999/112 should be called immediately if a burn to a face, throat or mouth, or genital areas or dealing with a child or an adult over the age of 65.

Fireworks contain sulphur and sometimes when irrigating a wound, it can feel to the casualty that the wound is heating up. If this is occurring you need to use milk instead of fresh water, as this counteracts the sulphur in the firework compound and is a non-alkaloid.

A handful of lights

When using sparklers, insure that woollen gloves are worn. Wool is a natural heat retardant and also has natural fire proof properties. Sparklers are dangerous if handled incorrectly. When being used by children, sparklers should be used with supervision at all times. The temperatures of sparklers go way above 100 degrees when lit and this can cause terrible disfigurements if something goes wrong.

Sparklers should be lit and when spent should be placed in a bucket of cold water immediately as the heat still stays on the sparkler, and can cause full thickness burns if touched. If anyone is injured by using the sparkler, the same treatment as a firework burn should be followed. If clothing or gloves are stuck to the skin do not remove clothing until emergency services arrive. Keep irrigating until help arrives.

If in doubt, call 999 immediately.

A cold day’s night

When exposed to the outdoor elements always remember to wrap up well. Children and people over the age of 65 are particularly susceptible to become ill with the effects of the cold. (This is known as Hypothermia) The treatment for this is to introduce heat gently, wrap the person up well and give them warm drinks. (Not boiling hot drinks to start with) and try and heat the core first. (Heating from the inside out).

Remove any damp or wet clothing, and replace with warm, dry clothing and blankets. The most sensible thing to do is to remove them from the cold, and seek medical help if concerned.

Turn that noise down!

Children’s hearing is very delicate, especially during their developmental stage. Their hearing can be easily damaged or impaired by loud noises. If going to a large firework display, then children should be wearing ear protection or ear plugs during the event, as some fireworks now have a very high decibel count and this can cause damage.

The most important thing is to have fun and stay safe!

Our company, First Aid Training That Cares run first aid courses and training days in a variety of HSE approved first aid courses across Dorset, Bournemouth & Poole, so get in touch if you would like some more details.

If you require a HSE approved first aid kit/burns first aid kit for your home or business my affiliate company (http://www.first-aid-online.co.uk/) can supply these for you.