Fireworks should carry cigarette-style graphic warnings to prevent injuries, say plastic surgeons
Fireworks should carry cigarette-style graphic warnings, say plastic surgeons after the number of injuries related to Bonfire Night has doubled since the beginning of the decade.
The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) said fireworks posed a huge threat to health and well-being, yet were marketed to look like toys without sufficient warnings.
They called for similar images to be displayed on packets showing the devastating injuries which could occur if they are misused.
In England last year, 4,436 individuals attended A&E because of an injury caused by a firework - more than double the 2,141 in 2009/10.
Half of those admitted to hospital due to the discharge of fireworks were aged 18 or under and 80 per cent were male.
BAPRAS president and consultant plastic surgeon David Ward said: “We are extremely concerned about the continued misuse of fireworks, particularly by those under the age of 18 away from organised events.
“Although packaged in a jovial, toy-like fashion, people forget that when using fireworks they are handling explosives which can cause extremely serious injuries that may require extensive reconstructive surgery.
“With many of our surgeons having to attend to these types of injuries each year, BAPRAS is calling on the Government to make a common-sense change by legislating to ensure all firework packaging in the UK includes mandatory graphic warning notices, similar to those found on cigarette packaging.”
Over the weekend families were evacuated from a McDonald’s in London when youths set off fireworks inside the fast food restaurant.
The eaterie was shut down after up to 50 teenagers gathered inside and set off rockets and bangers at the outlet in Walthamstow.
BAPRAS said it believes that an overhaul of firework packaging is required to reduce the growing number of unnecessary and life-changing injuries sustained from the misuse of fireworks, which often require extensive reconstructive surgery.
Research carried out by YouGov found that in the light of this, 68 per cent of UK parents would support the introduction of graphic warnings on firework packaging.
The campaign is supported by the Royal College of Surgeons, the British Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick.
“Unfortunately, many of the fireworks used today are more powerful and therefore more dangerous than the ones we dealt with when I was a firefighter in the London Fire Brigade,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.
"Right here in east London I have seen first-hand how children are using these explosives as weapons, firing them at passers-by and even our emergency services.
"The alarming figures raised by BAPRAS today make clear the urgent need for Government to introduce graphic warnings on firework packaging, clearly demonstrating the dangers of misuse."
