- Keep sparklers in safe hands


<p>Sparklers, like other fireworks, must be used with care. They can get 6 times as hot as a pan of cooking oil and many injuries caused by sparklers occur each year It makes sense to keep sparklers in safe hands. </p>
<p>Safety with sparklers </p>
<ul><li>Store sparklers and other fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place. </li>
<li>Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. </li>
<li>Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand. </li>
<li>Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out. They can stay hot for a long time. </li>
<li>Don't take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely. </li></ul>
<p>Children and sparklers </p>
<ul><li>Never give sparklers to the under 5s -they will not understand how to use them safely.</li>
<li>Always supervise children using sparklers. </li>
<li>Give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers. </li>
<li>Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes -they might catch light. </li>
<li>Show children how to hold sparklers -away from their body and at arm's length. </li>
<li>Teach children not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run while holding them. </li></ul>
<p>In an emergency </p>
<ul><li>Cool the burn or scald with cold water for at least 10 minutes. </li>
<li>Cut around the material sticking to the skin -don't pull it off. </li>
<li>Don't touch the burn or burst any blisters. </li>
<li>Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material -cling film is ideal -to prevent infection. </li>
<li>If clothing catches fire, get the person to stop, drop to the floor and roll them in heavy material like a curtain. </li>
<li>Get advice from your doctor or accident and emergency department at your local hospital. </li></ul>
<p><p>For Further Information </p>
<p><b>Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards Advice Centres offer unbiased and friendly advice to both consumers and traders. </b></p>
<p><b>If you need help or just want some general advice, why not call in to your local centre, or telephone the advice line on 0845 050 5200.</b></p>
<p><p>Trading Standards<br>4th Floor<br>County Hall<br>West Bridgford<br>Nottingham<br>NG2 7QP</p>
<p>Trading Standards<br>17B The Square<br>Retford<br>Nottinghamshire<br>DN22 6DB</p>
<b>Minicom:</b> 0115 977 2395</p>
<p><b>E-mail:</b> <a href="mailto:tsadvice@nottscc.gov.uk"  Title="e-mail: tsadvice@nottscc.gov.uk"> tsadvice@nottscc.gov.uk</a></p>
<p><b>To make a consumer complaint online:</b> <a href="http://www.consumercomplaints.org.uk"  Title="Link to Consumer Complaints Website"> www.consumercomplaints.org.uk</a></p>
</p>