Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 18/10/2005 12:20

A partnership between Cornwall County Fire Brigade, Trading Standards, Kerrier District Council, Restormel Borough Council, North Cornwall District Council, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and St Johns Ambulance has been established to try and reduce the number of firework related injuries that occur every year.

Last year 1,160 people received injuries in the UK as a direct result of fireworks. The partnership, entitled ‘Cornwall Firework Advisory Partnership’, offers a free registration scheme for firework event organisers. Under this new scheme organisers will receive free safety advice in an information pack. The pack also includes risk assessment guidance and a site visit is available if necessary. Any registered event will be advertised on the tourist information website.

Station Officer Steve Halstead explained: “Firework displays are enjoyable, but all too often accidents happen due to a lack of planning and assessment of the risks.

He cont: “Our scheme is aimed at the event organisers. We want to assist them in managing public safety at these events. We have experts within the group who can provide valuable safety advice, and we encourage event organisers to come forward and talk to us”

The partnership would also like to remind people holding private parties to follow the firework code, plan properly and not to set off fireworks after drinking alcohol.
Station Officer Steve Halstead added: “People drink alcohol at 90% of firework parties. In a survey 84% of respondents said that people setting off fireworks had drunk at least 2-3 units of alcohol. This increases the risk of injury and makes adults less able to supervise children properly during the display. Try and nominate people who are not drinking alcohol to take charge of late night displays. Keep people who have been drinking alcohol well away from the fireworks and the bonfire. Have an enjoyable time, but be safe”

If you are an event organiser and would like to apply for registration please contact Cornwall County Fire Brigade on 01872 323244.