Mya'Shield
Get Early Access
Bonfire Night safety for families: fireworks, sparklers and busy displays
Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5 November this year, with plenty of displays on the weekends either side. An organised public display is the safest way to enjoy fireworks. If you're celebrating at home, here's what to know.
Sparklers
Sparklers feel like the gentle option, but they can reach 20 times the boiling point of water. A few simple rules make a big difference:
- No sparklers for under-fives. Norfolk County Council's advice is to never give sparklers to under-fives.
- Gloves on, and hold the sparkler at arm's length, away from the body.
- Light them one at a time, and never wave them near anyone else or run while holding one.
- Avoid loose, floaty clothes that could catch.
- When it's finished, put it hot end down into a bucket of cold water.
Fireworks at home
RoSPA's firework code is the one to follow: light fireworks at arm's length with a taper and stand well back, keep naked flames away from them, aim rockets away from people, and never go back to a firework once it's lit. In the UK it's illegal for under-18s to buy fireworks, and children shouldn't be left alone with fireworks or sparklers.
At a public display
Displays are busy, dark and loud, which is exactly when children get separated. Agree a meeting point when you arrive, give them a glow stick or a bright hat so they're easy to spot, and put your phone number in their pocket. Our guide to keeping kids safe in crowds has more.
If someone gets burnt
Cool the burn under cool or lukewarm running water straight away. The NHS advises doing this for 20 minutes. For anything more than a small burn, or any burn on a child that you're worried about, get medical help: 999 in the UK or 911 in the US in an emergency, or NHS 111 for advice.
Free shareable
Our lost-child plan
One page to fill in together before a busy day out: where you'll meet, who to call, and the four things your child does if they get lost.
Free shareable
Call my grown-up cards
Eight cut-out cards for your phone number. Pop one in a pocket, school bag or shoe. There's no space for your child's name, on purpose.
We're building Mya'Shield, an early alert device for busy nights like these, with an SOS button your child can press if they lose you.