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 for download
.
Key Points – Halloween period 2008
The key findings presented in the statistics release are listed below:
- 32 persons were injured over the Halloween period (17 October-14 November 2008), a decrease of (67%) from the 2007 figure.
- 47% of persons injured over the Halloween period attended an Accident and Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit between 31 October and 6 November 2008.
- 81% of those injured were male.
- 66% of those injured were aged under 18.
- There were no fatalities.
- The most common sites of injury were to the wrist or hand (53% of all injuries) and the eye (22%).
- 34% required no further treatment, 19% were referred to Outpatients, 16% were referred to GP and 16% were asked to revisit A&E.
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. Recording of information on the place where injury occurred and type of firework involved was not mandatory.
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 2008 covered a five-week period from Friday 17 October to Friday 14 November inclusive. Information for previous years reported in this release covers four or five week periods around Halloween.
4. Additional Information
Further information on Fireworks Injuries Statistics is available online and from:
5. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 02890 520074, or out of office hours contact the D
Internet: uty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
