“Remember, Remember the 5th of November”.
It’s time for bonfire night and firework displays! Many of us will be heading out to events with family and friends over the next few days. These events are great at bringing together communities and making the most of the darker. As ever, whilst we never like to spoil the fun there are some simple steps to follow to keep you and you loved ones safe.
Fancy Dress Costumes:
Dressing up is fun! Just remember that not all clothing is manufactured to the same safety standards. Fancy dress costumes are highly flammable. Check clothing labels a UKCA or CE mark. It means they have undergone additional fire safety testing and should burn more slowly if they catch fire.
On Bonfire / Fireworks night - take the ‘wrap up’ not ‘dress up’ approach
Teach children and young people (and in fact everyone!) the stop, drop, roll approach - should any clothing catch fire. I know that this is unthinkable - but should the worst happen, this will quickly help extinguish the flames, and stop the burning process, before first aid treatment can be applied.
Firework Night: How to stay safe from burns.
The biggest things to remember are to keep children at a safe distance, leave fireworks to responsible adults, and know what to do if someone gets burned.
Prevent burns before they happen
Choose an organised display if possible. These are generally safer than setting off fireworks at home.
Keep children well back. Follow the safety distance printed on each firework and supervise children throughout the display.
Never let children light fireworks. Only a responsible adult should handle and light them. Read the instructions first and use a taper at arm’s length.
Treat sparklers as hot metal, not toys. Never give them to children under five. Older children should be closely supervised, wear gloves and hold sparklers at arm’s length, away from other people.
Place used sparklers straight into a bucket of water. They remain hot after they stop glowing. Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby. This can help deal with small fires and cool used sparklers.
Avoid loose, flowing clothing and dangling scarves near bonfires and open flames, as these can catch fire.
Never return to a firework that has been lit, even if it appears not to have gone off. It could still explode.
First Aid for Burns:
Simply put - cool the area with running water for at least 20 mins. This stops the burning process and reduces pain and inflammation.
After cooling, gently drape cling film over the burn. Do not wrap around the affected area. This helps relieve pain and helps prevent infection. Use a sterile dressing if you do not have cling film.
Remove any clothing near the burn - but do not remove any clothing which is stuck to the burn directly.
Keep the person warm - particularly of the burn is covering a large surface area of the body. Use blankets or coats to keep the rest of them warm.
Treat the pain - with paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the instruction on the packaging or by seeking medical advice.
Chemical burns:
First Aid is aimed at removal of the chemical, whilst placing high priority on the safety of the first aider, who should be wearing PPE.
For dry powders - attempt to brush off
Contaminated clothing should be discarded before irrigation of the burn
In the out of hospital, workplace or first aid context, use room temperature running water to irrigate the burn for at least 20 minutes.
Irrigation should continue until there us decreased pain/burning at the wound site
Water irrigation should not be used on dry lime, phenols, muriatic acid, concentrated sulphuric acid and elemental metals - call 999 and seek specialist help
Electrical Burns:
Prioritise scene safety and safety of first aider and casualty. Complete an ABCDE assessment (top to toe), and manage life threatening conditions first e.g. Cardiac Arrest and then move to treating the burn by cooling with cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
Go to A & E, if:
You are worried
The burn is large - the Children’s burn Trust recommend that any burn larger than the size of a 50 pence piece requires medical attention
The burn is to the face, hands, feet, joints or genitals.
The burn has been caused by a chemical or electric source
There are other injuries
There are signs of shock
References:
For Firework Night burn prevention
GOV.UK — Fire safety when celebrating Read the guidance
London Fire Brigade — Fireworks Read the guidance
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service — Firework Safety Read the guidance