Enjoy this bonfire night responsibly. That’s the message from Essex’s ambulance service ahead of a weekend of fireworks displays and bonfires.
Every year, the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) is called to patients who have suffered firework or bonfire-related burns or injuries.
The public are being urged to enjoy their evenings with the sound of a bang and not the sound of sirens.
Try and attend a professionally-organised display. However, if you are planning to have you own event, here are the trust's tips:
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework, using a torch if necessary
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit
- Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
- Never use paraffin, petrol or any accelerant on a bonfire to get it going
- Always supervise children when using sparklers
The trust is also reminding people how to deal with burns should it be needed:
- Stop the burning process as soon as possible. This may mean removing the person from the area, dousing flames with water or smothering flames with a blanket. Do not put yourself at risk of getting burnt as well
- Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burnt area of skin. However, don't try to remove anything that is stuck to the burnt skin because this could cause more damage
- Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm water for 10 to 30 minutes. Never use ice, iced water or any creams or greasy substances such as butter
- Keep yourself or the person warm. Use a blanket or layers of clothing, but avoid putting them on the injured area. Keeping warm will prevent hypothermia, where a person's body temperature drops below 35ºC (95ºF). This is a risk if you are cooling a large burnt area, particularly in young children and elderly people
- Cover the burn with cling film. Put the cling film in a layer over the burn, rather than wrapping it around a limb. A clean clear plastic bag can be used for burns on your hand.
- Treat the pain from a burn with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always check the manufacturer's instructions when using over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin.
If you are concerned seek medical advice by calling 111 or in emergencies call 999
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