Put safety first at Halloween
Date published:
Fireworks and health advice
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Halloween will be celebrated very differently this year.
There is advice about how to have fun while sticking to the health guidance.
People will be celebrating it at home rather than going to the large publically-planned firework displays that would normally take place. This will increase the risk of fire.
Anyone wishing to buy or use fireworks must have a licence.
Although fireworks are entertaining and exciting, if not properly handled they can be extremely dangerous and can result in injuries, often serious ones.
Fireworks should only be lit in a safe and controlled environment by a responsible adult. You should:
- follow the Firework Code
- only buy fireworks marked with a CE mark – this shows fireworks meet European Safety Standards
- not drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
- keep fireworks in a closed box when not in use and keep away from anything that could cause them to light
- follow the manufacturer’s advice on each firework and use them one at a time
- light them at arm’s length using a taper and stand well back
- never go near a firework that has been lit, even if it hasn’t gone off - it could still explode
- never put fireworks in their pocket or throw them
- always supervise children around fireworks
- keep pets and animals indoors – the flames and noise upset them
- not set off noisy fireworks late at night and never after 11.00 pm
There’s more information about firework safety at the following link:
Fireworks can cause fear and distress, especially amongst older people and more vulnerable members of the community.
You are also reminded of the traumatic effects that fireworks can have on pets and farm animals.
Sparklers
Sparklers are often seen as being harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures.
To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is equivalent to the heat from a welding torch.
You should:
- store sparklers in a closed box in a cool, dry place
- always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves, keeping them at arm’s length
- never hold a sparkler in their hand while also holding a baby or child
- plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out (sparklers stay hot for a long time)
- not take sparklers to public displays - it will be too crowded to use them safely
- never give sparklers to children under the age of five – they will not understand how to use them safely
- always supervise children using sparklers, teach them how to use them properly, and give children woollen gloves to wear
Fancy dress costumes
Parents should be aware of the potential dangers of their children wearing fancy dress costumes, either shop bought or home-made, if they're around fireworks, sparklers, or open flames (such as pumpkins or turnips with candles).
If a child is wearing a fancy dress costume this Halloween:
- keep them away from naked flames – avoid using a naked flame or candle in pumpkins or turnips; use a torch, glow stick or battery-operated candle
- stop, drop and roll if clothing does catch on fire – to try to put the flames out and also to stop the flames from rising towards the face
- choose a costume and mask that doesn’t restrict a child’s visibility or vision
- make sure they wear woollen tights or ‘heavy’ trousers (jeans) and a woollen jumper under the costume
- supervise them well at all times
Look out for costumes that are labelled ‘Low Flammability’ ‘BS5722’ or have the European code ‘BS EN 14878’.
Fireworks and the law
Fireworks must be bought from a licensed dealer, who is required to keep sales records.
Fireworks bought from other sources could be of a sub-standard quality, presenting an even bigger risk of injury. It is also essential that you have a licence when buying any fireworks.
You can find a list of licensed dealers on the fireworks page.
For any enquiries on the use of fireworks, phone the fireworks helpline.