If you are celebrating Guy Fawkes night this 5th of November with a back garden firework display party don’t overlook the importance of adequate safety preparation.
As well as fireworks, warm clothes, food and hot drinks safety equipment and PPE should be on this weeks shopping list.
Items you should definitely have:
- Water: If you have an adequatly long hose pipe that you can safely run to your firework firing area without it being a trip hazard you can utilise that as an extinguisher. If you are unable to do that then consider purchasing a good quality water based fire extinguisher. A bucket of water and a bucket of sand are also a good idea to keep close by.
- PPE: The designated Firework firers should be properly clothed and equipped with adequate PPE. An absolute minimum requirement should be. Protective overalls, good quality clean cotton overalls, not oil and grease soaked mechanics overalls. Nomex or Proban overalls would be ideal. Safety hard hat; fireworks can sometimes deposit debris, protect your head. Protective glasses or goggles should be used but a full face visor is the best choice. Ear defenders are ideal for protecting your ears from close range whizzes, pops and bangs.
- First Aid: Sparklers can be great fun but are unfortunately also the number one cause of minor burns and scalds. Ideally anyone holding a sparkler should be wearing natural fibre gloves; too often this recommendation falls on deaf ears. It pays to keep a good quality first aid kit at hand, a specialist burns and scalds first aid kit is ideal. Make sure your burns kit is fully equipped, in a convenient location, and everyone knows where it is.
