How to have a happy and safe bonfire night

Picture: Fireworks by Toby Cooper

I love Bonfire Night - it's probably my favourite night of the year. There's something so cosy about wrapping up warm, being out in the cold eating tomato soup and hotdogs. I also love that it can be enjoyed by just about anyone - young or old, rich or poor. In fact I love it so much that we still celebrate it now we have moved to France - which last year involved the firemen turning up as our neighbours assumed our house was on fire, but that's another story.

But however much fun Bonfire Night is, it can also be dangerous, especially for children. Each year around 1,000 people across Britain have to go to hospital because they have been injured by a firework during the four weeks around Bonfire Night. Nearly half of these injuries are sustained at family or private parties and nearly half happen to children, according to Rospa figures.

Go public

The home safety charity advises that the safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a public display - you can find details of your nearest ones from your local council and Enjoy England also has some suggestions. If you are planning a display at home be sure to follow the Fireworks Code and only consider doing so if your garden is big enough.

Buy your fireworks from a reputable shop such as a major supermarket rather than form the small shops which tend to spring up just before November 5. All fireworks conforming to British Safety Standards will have BS 7114 written on the box.

Sparklers should never be given to children under five but Ready for Ten aged children should be OK as long as they wear gloves and are supervised at all times - a sparkler can become as hot as a welding torch. Never hold a baby in your arms while you are also holding a sparkler and make sure you have a bucket full of cold water to put the sparklers in once they are finished with.

Last year I wrote an article for Parentdish about staying safe for Bonfire Night and Netmums also has a great guide to Bonfire Night which includes safety tip.

Have fun - and don't forget the toffee apples!