Fireworks Fun

Tonight is Guy Fawkes night.  The tradition of Guy Fawkes is over 400 years old and comes from a plot by Guy Fawkes and 11 other men to blow up the British Parliament – the “Gunpowder Plot”. The men, including Guy, were caught before they could light the barrels of gunpowder.

Every year since, on November 5th there has been celebrations with fireworks, gunpowder and bonfires, along with a reading in the British Parliament.

Kids of ages enjoy letting off fireworks, but safety is paramount. In New Zealand, rather than focusing on the tradition, it is often used more as a good reason to get together with friends and family for some start of summer fun.

Many local councils prohibit lighting fireworks in public places such as parks or beaches. It is best to only light fireworks on your own property, far away from anything that could catch fire. Be aware of the elements, if it is particularly dry or windy in your area, the chances of fire could be higher. Have a hose or bucket of water close by at all times.

It is important to be safe around fireworks. Ensure that any you use have been kept dry and in their original packaging. They should be kept away from any sources of heat or ignition (even if you are in the process of letting them off).

Safety guidelines include:

• always follow the instructions on the fireworks packaging (read them with a torch when it is dark)
• light them away from things that could catch fire
• let off fireworks whilst sober
• only adults should light fireworks
• have cold water on hand
• never relight fireworks that do not go off
• never point fireworks towards another person

If anyone does get a burn, immerse it in cold water for 20 minutes and seek medical advice if you are unsure of the severity. Remember surface burns often hurt more, deep burns can damage nerves and not always hurt so much initially. Cover burns with a dry sterile dressing and don’t burst any blisters without professional advice.

Pets and small children are often very distressed by the loud noises associated with fireworks. Shut your pets indoors before the sun goes down and respect your neighbours – put away your fireworks after 10.30pm. Should your pet become distressed, close the curtains and put on the television or radio for some ‘normal’ background noise and treat them calmly. it may be a good idea to give your dog an extra long walk today, so he is tired and sleeps through the noise more easily.

The safest and most spectacular way to celebrate Guy Fawkes is to attend a public display. Public displays have bigger, more exciting fireworks than you can buy, and are a great night out for families. Look online for details of your local display.