Hampshire families urged to stay safe ahead of Bonfire Night

Safety charity the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is calling on people to share the firework code and sparkler safety advice to prevent nasty injuries to youngsters.

Ashley Martin, of the charity, said: ‘We want families to have enjoyable celebrations and an important part of this is making sure that events are not only fun but safe.

‘The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a large public display but if you’ll be having your celebrations at home, be sure to follow the firework code.’

Recent figures show 4,506 people in England visited accident and emergency departments with firework-related injuries in 2014/15.

Of this, some 114 people were admitted to hospital with serious injuries, with more than a third (39 per cent) of those involved being under 18.

Top firework safety tips include never returning to a lit firework and not rushing a display.

Also, fireworks should be kept in a closed box, being used one at a time, and spectators should stand at a safe distance when fireworks are being set off.