The information release provides a statistical examination of the people reporting to the Accident & Emergency Departments, as a result of an injury caused by a firework.
The information release is published on the Departmental website 
.
Key Points – Halloween period 2007
- 97 persons were injured over the Halloween period of the year 2007, an increase of 28 (41%) from the 2006 figure.
- 63% of persons injured over the Halloween period attended an Accident and Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit between 31st October and 6th November 2007.
- 87% of those injured were male .
- 77% of those injured were aged under 18.
- There were no fatalities.
- The most common sites of injury were to the wrist or hand (43% of all injuries) and the face, head or neck area (26%) .
- 27% were asked to revisit the A&E department and 20% of those injured were referred to their GP. Thirteen persons were admitted to hospital or transferred to another hospital .
Notes to Editors:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The return for the year 2007 covered a four week period from Wednesday 17th October to Wednesday 14th November inclusive. Information for previous years reported in this release covers four- or five-week periods around Halloween.
4. In accordance with the Review of Public Administration, with effect from the 1st April 2007, five new integrated Health and Social Care Trusts (Belfast, Northern, South Eastern, Southern and Western) replaced the previous provider Trusts in Northern Ireland.
Additional Information
Further information on fireworks injuries in Northern Ireland is available from:
Office Information Manager
Hospital Information Branch
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Annexe 2
Castle Buildings
Stormont
BT4 3SQ
Tel. 028 9052 2800
Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 90 520571 and 028 90 520575 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
