Friday 6th November 2015 – 11.00pm – Claire Brown.
A total of seven patients needed assessing by ambulance staff this evening after the Trust received four separate 999 calls to cases involving fireworks.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “The first case came in just before 8.00pm in Worcester where a man had suffered facial injuries from an exploding firework. He was given treatment on scene by the attending ambulance and responder paramedic before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
“At around 8.15pm an ambulance and rapid response vehicle were tasked to Erdington where, upon arrival, they found a young lad with an ankle injury. He had fallen awkwardly off the kerb into the road after reportedly throwing a firework. He was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“A paramedic area support officer, a MERIT trauma doctor and a critical care paramedic were sent to a firework’s display in Trysull in Wolverhampton just before 8.40pm to reports that a firework had exploded injuring several people. When ambulance staff arrived, thankfully it wasn’t as bad as they were expecting. Four children, aged between six and twelve, were assessed but escaped with just very minor injuries and didn’t require hospital treatment.
“Five minutes later at 8.45pm, a 999 call came in from Brownhills in Walsall reporting a firework had exploded in someone’s face. An ambulance, a community first responder and a paramedic area support officer treated a man who had sustained superficial burns to his hands and face. He was treated on scene before being taken to Walsall Manor Hospital.
“If you’re attending an organised firework display or are planning on holding a party at home this weekend, please stay safe by following the Firework Code.”
Firework Code:
- Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114 – it means they conform to British safety Standards
- Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box.
- Follow the instructions on each firework.
- Light at arm’s length, using a taper.
- Stand well back.
- Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
- Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
- Always supervise children around fireworks.
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
- Never give sparklers to a child under five.
- Keep pets indoors.
ENDS