North West incident attendance data shows Bonfire Night's strain on emergency services

FIRE and Ambulance Services are likely to remember the 5th of November due to spikes in incidents. Data collected from emergency services in the North West has given an insight into the impact of Bonfire Night as calls go out to the public to observe the event safely.

Accident Claims Advice learned that fire and Ambulance Services see a significant spike in incidents on:- 5 November , with revellers more at risk of firework related injuries than at any other time.

Fire incidents exceed daily average...

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service data states that the service received:- 308 calls between:- 4pm on:- 5 November 2023 and 8am the following morning, attending:- 229 incidents as a result.

The service had to deal with:- 693 calls on:- 5 November across the past 3 years, second only to Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (1,107) from those who responded to Accident Claims Advice's query.

They also found that 1,167 fires were started deliberately between:- 1 September and 13 November 2024.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service took:- 87 calls on Bonfire Night 2023, far clear of the 55 it took on average per day across 2023/24. In the 2 years prior, the service was called:- 102 and 111 times respectively.

Elsewhere, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service reported that 198 incidents were attended between:- 12 noon and 12 midnight on 5 November 2023, of which 122 were fires. That included 76 fires which the service determined were set deliberately.

According to their most recent performance report, the service attended:- 16,827 incidents in 2023/24 (around:- 85 per day on average) and was called out to fight 6,282 fires (17 per day).

This means that fire services were needed more than 7 times the daily average to deal with just 12 hours' worth of fires.

The total calls made to the fire and rescue service on:- 5 November; 355 in:- 2021, 370 in 2022 and 382 in:- 2023; far exceed the:- 2023/24 average o:-f 85 calls received per day.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service had :-100 call-outs on:- 5 November 2023, almost double the year's daily average of:- 52.

Fire and rescue services in West Yorkshire, London, Avon and Somerset and East Sussex all additionally reported that incident numbers were ahead of the mean.

November incidents form majority of firework-related ambulance calls...

North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust revealed that 57% of all calls for firework-related injuries come in November. They received just 4 calls per month on average from:- 2021 to 2023, but the average in November was almost 7 times higher, at:- 27. This includes:- 30 calls in 2023, ⅔ of the calls they got all year.

4 other English Ambulance Services all reported that November was a relatively busy month for call-outs.

Almost a third of all November ambulance calls for firework injuries were because at least 1 person under the age of 18 had been injured.

North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust found that they attended 20 incidents on average in November, as opposed to a typical monthly average of just:- 3.9. 6 in every 10 calls for a firework injury between:- 2021 and 2023 came in November.

It should be noted that call-outs for firework injuries form a very small part of Ambulance Services' duties. For example, North West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's 2023/24 Annual report stated that they attended nearly a million incidents. However, their help was only needed for an injury caused by fireworks:- 45 times in 2023.

Diwali, which occasionally takes place in November, may also have an effect on the number of reports.

Regardless, the figures highlight how the risk of harm caused by firework celebrations reaches its clear peak in the time around Bonfire Night.

Hospitals in the North West can also attribute most of its firework-related admissions to the season's festivities. Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had 16 November admissions, making up just over half of the:- 31 it recorded across:- 36 months.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (also 16) saw 59% of its firework-related admissions happen in the 11th month of the year.

However, data from local Councils suggests that Bonfire Night is not generally seen as a nuisance by members of the public. Manchester City Council received only 19 noise complaints between:- 4 November and 6 November 2023, while Liverpool City Council had just eight. The 2 Councils receive:- 16 and 6 daily complaints respectively, meaning that the Bonfire Night period is below average.

Data from Councils around England, Wales and Scotland told a similar story, with Newport City Council finding that November was actually its quietest month for noise-related complaints in 2023.

Public advised to enjoy Bonfire Night responsibly

Emergency services have collaborated to warn the public about acting responsibly during Bonfire Night.

John-Paul Ruffle, Greater Manchester Police's force lead for anti-social behaviour (ASB), said:- "The Halloween and Bonfire period is a busy 1 for GMP and our emergency service colleagues, and we want to remind people that they should enjoy themselves safely and respectfully, mindful of those in their communities."

On Merseyside, emergency services have launched Operation Banger to limit anti-social behaviour, taking steps including:- funding supervised Bonfire Night activities for children and young people.

With crime reports, animal safety and environmental concerns also factoring into campaigns to tone down Bonfire Night celebrations, the data collected by Accident Claims Advice highlights the need to remain cautious during the celebrations.

Accident Claims Advice operates a free claims guidance service that is available on a 24/7 basis, either online or over the phone.

Those who have valid grounds to seek compensation could get professional advice from a solicitor with expertise in personal injury cases such as firework injury claims.

146% rise in firework causalities sparks emphasis on safety

THERE has been a 146% rise from:- 13 casualties in 2022 to 32 casualties from firework-related incidents in 2023, according to Home Office data.

Last year, figures were at the highest they've been since 2010 when fireworks injured 45 people.

As a result, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging everyone to do 1 essential thing this year to ensure a safe celebration:- attend an organised display.

Phil Le Shirley, Product Safety Advisor, said:- "The number 1 thing you can do to reduce the risk of injury from fireworks is to attend events managed by professionals and held in controlled environments. Each year, injuries occur due to improper handling and unsafe use of fireworks in home gardens. Organised events offer the thrill of fireworks while minimising the risks to you, your family, and your neighbours.”

But if you're having Fireworks at home:- follow the Firework Code

By following the Firework Code, you can protect yourself, your family, and others while still enjoying the magic of Bonfire Night. Every year, thousands of people suffer injuries related to fireworks, with some incidents leading to life-altering injuries or even fatalities. Many of these accidents are preventable with the right precautions.

The Firework Code:- Your Safety Checklist:-

• Buy fireworks from licensed sellers:- · Buy fireworks from licensed sellers:- Only purchase fireworks that have a UKCA or CE Mark
  

• Follow instructions carefully:- Read and follow the instructions on each firework, and ensure you know how to use them before lighting.
  

• Keep fireworks in a closed box:- Store them safely and only take them out 1 at a time.
  

• Light fireworks at arm's length:- Use a taper or long lighter, and never go back to a firework once it's lit.
  

• Stand well back:- Always maintain a safe distance once fireworks are lit.
  

• Supervise children:- Never allow children to handle fireworks, including:- sparklers.
  

• Never put fireworks in your pocket:- This can lead to accidental ignition and severe injury.
  

• Dispose of used fireworks properly:- Douse fireworks with water after they've gone off and dispose of them safely.
  

• Keep pets indoors:- Fireworks can cause distress to animals, so make sure pets are kept inside during displays.

Additional Firework Safety Tips...

In addition to following the Firework Code, RoSPA offers these further recommendations for a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night:

Be mindful of bonfires:- Keep a safe distance and never throw fireworks, aerosols, or anything else into the bonfire.
Wear protective clothing:- When handling fireworks, ensure you're wearing suitable clothing, such as long sleeves and gloves, particularly when using sparklers.

To celebrate Autumn's festivities safely, you can learn more about RoSPA's guidance, as well as the firework code here.