Fireworks Safety Awareness Raising
The Cookstown Home Accident Prevention Group and the PSNI held a Fireworks Safety Information Stand at Cookstown ASDA on Thursday 23rd October. The aim was to raise awareness to both parents and young people of the dangers and legal consequences of using fireworks. Martin Allen (PSNI Community Safety Officer) explains, “It’s not that the police want to prevent young people from having fun but we want to reduce the number of people getting injured and also reduce the levels of anti social behaviour associated with this time of year.”
Cookstown Home Accident Prevention (HAP) Group is a voluntary group comprising of representatives from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors in the district. They aim to increase awareness in the community to the dangers in and around the home. Halloween can bring many dangers to the home and this year, along with the PSNI and NIFRS, they are urging everyone to stay safe with fireworks. Last year in Northern Ireland 97 people were injured, a 40% increase from 2006. The majority of those injured where young males and the most common injury was to the hand and wrist. Martina Totten, the Community Project Officer for Cookstown District Council and a member of the HAP Group underlines, “We want everyone to enjoy themselves this Halloween, but it is important that they recognise the serious dangers associated with fireworks.”
Useful firework information and a comprehensive guide to fireworks licensing, planning a display, buying fireworks and most importantly using them safely is available on a dedicated website www.saferfireworks.com
