Accidents at firework displays cut by a quarter

Firework accidents were down by a quarter last year, and injuries to teenagers fell even further, by a third, Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson announced today.

According to statistics published today for last year's bonfire night celebrations, injuries in public areas fell by 33%; injuries at family parties fell by 39%, and injuries at large public displays dropped by 37%.

Welcoming the decrease, Melanie Johnson said: "The fall in injuries is good news, but we cannot afford to be complacent. The figures still remain too high and I want to press for even greater firework safety in the future.

"In addition to the ban on air bombs and other measures I announced last year to increase safety and reduce noise nuisance, the Private Member's Bill currently going through Parliament will provide new powers to crack down on the menace of fireworks misuse. I hope we will see further reductions in injuries in the coming years."

Ms Johnson praised the efforts of local authorities, education authorities, primary schools and fire brigades across the country who have worked to get across the firework safety message.

Each year the DTI collects injury statistics from all hospitals in England, Wales and Scotland over a four-week period around November 5th. The total number of people treated as hospital casualty departments in the UK in 2002 was 1017, compared to 1362 in 2001.

The DTI firework safety campaign last year was specifically aimed at reducing the number of injuries among young teenagers. An outdoor poster and TV campaign was targeted at 12 areas of the country where the problem of firework misuse and injury was most acute in 2001.

MP Bill Tynan's Fireworks Bill currently going through Parliament proposes to control the sale of fireworks and allow local authorities to refuse and revoke licences to retailers. It also includes provisions to reduce accidents, noise and nuisance.

(GMcG)