21 January 2010 - Further drop in number of firework injuries

Last year there were a total of 30 injuries caused by fireworks compared to 32 in 2008 and 97 in 2007.

Welcolming the decreasing number of injuries, Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: "It is very encouraging to see a continuing decrease in firework-related injuries. The majority of injuries happened to young males and were caused by bangers.

"It is clear that the hard-hitting fireworks safety campaigns are working and that young people are getting the message that messing around with fireworks is dangerous.

"While I am encouraged by this figure, we must not be complacent. I want local communities to take the message to heart – that although fireworks can be fun and exciting, they are nevertheless potentially very dangerous and must be handled carefully and within the law.

“It is for all of us to make sure that fireworks are handled responsibly and safely and to make sure that our youngsters can enjoy a display without risk of injury.”

Notes to editors:

1. The key findings presented in the statistics release are listed below:

• 30 persons were injured over the Halloween period of the year 2009, a decrease of 2 (6%) from the 2008 figure (Table 1);
• 73% of persons injured over the Halloween period attended an Accident and Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit between 31 October and 6 November 2009 (Figure 2);
• 80% of those injured were male (Table 1);
• 53% of those injured were aged under 18 (Table 2);
• There were no fatalities;
• The most common sites of injury were to the wrist or hand (56% of all injuries) and the eye (13% of all injuries) (Table 4);
• 27% required no further treatment, 27% were asked to revisit the A&E department, 17% were referred to a GP and 13% of persons injured were referred for Outpatients treatment (Table 5).

2. This information is collected via a special manual exercise carried out by A&E staff. It is conducted around a fixed four or five week period in order to minimise the data collection burden on staff and to ensure comparability from year to year. It does not therefore include injuries from fireworks outside the survey period and will not include injuries, which were not sufficiently serious to warrant attendance at an A&E Department or Minor Injuries Unit. Recording of information on the place where injury occurred and type of firework involved was not mandatory.

3. All persons reporting to hospital Accident and Emergency Departments and Minor Injuries Units for the first time with an injury caused directly by fireworks are included in the return. Follow-up attendances at Accident and Emergency Departments and attendances at Minor Injuries Units on referral from Accident and Emergency Departments are not included.

4. The return for the year 2009 covered a four-week period from Saturday 17 October to Saturday 14 November inclusive. Information for previous years reported in this release covers four or five week periods around Halloween.

5. Additional Information

Further information on Fireworks Injuries Statistics is available from:

6. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.