The impact of recent legislation on paediatric fireworks injuries in the Newcastle upon Tyne region

Abstract Despite the changes to the UK fireworks laws and considerable efforts in prevention, children are still being injured by fireworks. The UK is one of many countries that have altered their firework laws in recent years. We reviewed 54 firework-injured children over the last 10 years and asse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Burns Vol. 34; no. 7; pp. 953 - 964
Main Authors:	Edwin, Alexandra F.L, Cubison, Tania C.S, Pape, Sarah. A
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2008 Elsevier Science
Subjects:	Accidents Biological and medical sciences Blast Injuries - epidemiology Burns Burns - epidemiology Child Critical Care Dangerous Behavior England - epidemiology Explosive Agents - adverse effects Female Firework General aspects Humans Incidence Injuries Legislation Legislation as Topic Male Medical sciences Paediatric Safety - legislation & jurisprudence Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents England Paediatric Burns Legislation Injuries Firework Human Burn Skin disease Child
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Summary:	Abstract Despite the changes to the UK fireworks laws and considerable efforts in prevention, children are still being injured by fireworks. The UK is one of many countries that have altered their firework laws in recent years. We reviewed 54 firework-injured children over the last 10 years and assessed the impact of the two recent UK law changes. Our study outlines past British firework legislation and reviews the literature. In November 1996, there were three deaths in England, Wales and Scotland due to fireworks. The British Government introduced the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations of 1996/1997, primarily banning banger fireworks (known as bangers). We have not seen banger injuries in Newcastle since then. The Fireworks Act 2003 and the Fireworks Regulations 2004 limited the sale of fireworks to the 3 weeks surrounding bonfire night, and banned under 18s from purchasing or possessing fireworks. In our series, we noticed that, in 2004, 83% of children's firework injuries happened in the 3 weeks surrounding Bonfire Night. We conclude that legislation has had an impact, but stricter enforcement of the existing laws and further education of children and the general public into the dangers of fireworks is needed, as children are still being injured.
ISSN:	0305-4179 1879-1409
DOI:	10.1016/j.burns.2008.01.018