A simple sparkler reaches a temperature of up to 2,000°C - over 15 times the boiling point of water and should be handled with care. To ensure you, your family and friends remain safe when using sparklers, follow the advice below.
Sparkler Safety tips
Store sparklers and other fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place. Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand. Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out. They can stay hot for a long time. Don't take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely.
Sparkler Safety for Children
Never give sparklers to the under 5s - they will not understand how to use them safely. Always supervise children using sparklers. Give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers. Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes - they may catch light. Show children how to hold sparklers - away from their body and at arm's length. Teach children not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run while holding them.
Sparkler Safety in an emergency
- Keep calm. You can't help if you're panicking.
- Cool the burn or scald with cold water for at least 10 minutes.
- Never rub butter, oil or ointment into a burn.
- Cut around material sticking to the skin - don't pull it off.
- Take off any tight belts or jewellery that the injured person is wearing as burned skin can swell.
- Don't touch the burn or burst any blisters.
- Cover the burn with clean, smooth, non-fluffy material (like a pillowcase or clingfilm), to keep out infection until it can be properly dressed.
- If clothing catches fire, get the person to stop, drop to the floor and roll them in heavy material like a curtain.
- Unless the burn is very small, go to hospital.
- If the burn is very serious, or the person is (or was) unconscious, dial 999
- Don't give a seriously burned person anything to eat or drink after the accident, in case there's a need for anaesthetic at the hospital.
