Health Minister welcomes fall in number of fireworks injuries

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has welcomed the fall in the number of injuries caused by fireworks.

Figures released today by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, indicate that injuries recorded as attributable to misuse of fireworks during the Halloween period of 2008 have shown a 67% reduction on similar injuries caused during the same period of 2007.

The Minister said: “It is encouraging to see that the number of injuries caused by fireworks has shown a significant reduction over the same period in 2007.

“I have invested £50,000 over the last two years, working with colleagues in the Police Service, the Northern Ireland Office, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, in supporting the fireworks safety campaign to bring about that reduction.

“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 spectacular and exciting, they are nevertheless potentially very dangerous and must be handled carefully and within the law.”

Referring to the fact that 66% of reported injuries were sustained by young people, Mr McGimpsey added: “I am particularly concerned that fireworks are being handled by children, who have consequently suffered the most. 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.

“While government can suggest or even legislate to point the way forward, everyone has a responsibility to make sure that our children do not handle fireworks and that everyone fully understands that careless and cavalier behaviour can all too often exact an unacceptably high price.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The information release is published on the Departmental website for download.

2. 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 Accident & Emergency (A&E).

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.