Wednesday 14 October
14.00hrs
Children at a school in Kingswood saw the dramatic
consequences of mishandling fireworks during a visit by fire crews
and police this week.
Firefighters from
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) and Police Community
Support Officers (PCSOs) visited Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic
Primary School to talk to Year Six pupils about firework
safety.
During the
presentation the young people watched from a safe distance as
a firework was set off in the hand of a mannequin, to highlight the
potentially fatal consequences of ignoring safety 
advice.
In 2005, 985
people in the UK were injured by fireworks, almost a quarter of
these were aged between five and 12 years old (235) and half were
aged under 17 years old (494).
Kingswood Station
Manager Andy Southard from AF&RS said: “The injuries that young
people and adults can suffer from dangerous use of fireworks are
truly harrowing. Statistically, children in the age group we’re
visiting are most at risk of being hurt, so we hope by showing them
what can go wrong, they will take that message home to the parents
or guardians.”
Wednesday’s visit
came in the same week fireworks go on general sale in the run
up to Bonfire Night. Over the coming weeks The Safer Bristol
partnership, which includes AF&RS and Avon and Somerset Police,
will join other agencies for a series of initiatives to encourage
the responsible enjoyment of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night.
The demonstration will be made the subject of a DVD film being
made by AF&RS which will be delivered as part of firework
safety talks in schools across the former Avon area.
PCSOs will be
talking to the youngsters about personal safety during the
celebrations of Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night as well as giving away
posters with safety advice.