Red Cross Blogs

Don’t get burned on Bonfire Night

By Mark Cox
November 5, 2010 at 4:29 pm

I clearly remember, as a 14-year-old, stepping out on Bonfire Night with about 60 bangers stuffed into the front pockets of my jeans. You have to remember this was in 1983, before brains were invented, but even still it was a spectacularly stupid to do.

Me and my mates did a tour of all the  local bonfires, standing right next to the spark-shedding pyres with little sticks of dynamite sticking out our pants. Had a single spark gone astray, that tricky question in later life of whether or not to have children might not have been such a pressing issue.

The Guy Fawkes celebrations are a good old laugh, but fireworks are always dangerous. For example, even the humble sparkler – the ‘safe’ firework that kiddies always have sword-fights with – actually gets five times hotter than boiling water. (For comparison, try waving a hot kettle around your loved ones’ heads and see how ’safe’ that feels.)

Thousands of people get burned every year on the fifth of November – largely at family or private parties – so here are some handy, bonfire-themed Red Cross tips:

Scorched, singed and sizzling! That’ll be your skin if it comes into contact with a lit firework. Add ‘scream’ to the above list.

Put any burned area under cold running water as soon as possible for at least ten – yes, ten – minutes to stop the ‘cooking’ effect.

Any cold liquid will do if you don’t have access to water – including beer and fizzy drinks.

Refrain from putting any lotions, creams, butter or oils on the burn. They won’t help and will probably need to be (painfully) removed later.

Keep calm, especially if you’re helping someone else.

Loosely wrap cling-film around the burn – or use a clean plastic bag – to protect the area from infection.

Every child who receives a burn should be checked by a medical professional.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November….. is a time to have fun and enjoy yourself safely.

To ensure that your fireworks night goes off with a bang, brush up on your first aid skills so that everyone will be safe. And keep those bangers out of your pockets.

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Tags: First aid, first aid tips, first aid training

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