Remember, remember to protect your ears in November

Bonfire Night is less than 3 weeks away and you may be planning on attending an organised display with your family and friends, or holding your own event in the back garden.

Fireworks are great fun to watch but they can be noisy, so it’s important to think about protecting your hearing at this time of year.

In the UK the legal limit for fireworks is 120dB, which is 35dB above the level of noise when hearing damage can occur. The louder the sound, the shorter the time period before hearing loss can happen. And at 120db it only takes 7 minutes to risk permanently damaging your hearing.

The best way to protect your hearing at a firework display is to wear some good fitting earplugs. And for younger children, ear defenders are highly recommended. Keep your distance from fireworks, firecrackers, speaker systems and other sources of loud noise.

If you remember one thing this November make sure it’s this - avoid noises that are “too loud” and “too close” or that last “too long.”

Fireworks safety advice

All legal fireworks will have a label, instructions and will be either compliant to BS 7144 (part 2) or C.E marked. If you have or know of anyone that has fireworks without these labels on don’t use them.

The Fireworks Act is in force to cut the stress, noise and nuisance fireworks can cause, and reduce injuries.

The Fireworks Regulations 2004 prohibits:

• Anyone under 18 years from possessing fireworks in a public place
• Anyone except professionals from possessing display fireworks
• Any fireworks that detonate at a higher level than 120 decibels
• The use of fireworks at night (11pm - 7am) in England and Wales.

Firework safety tips from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

Firework Code - Top ten safety tips for adults

Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.

• Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable
• Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time
• Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary
• Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back
• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit
• Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
• Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
• Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
• Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Sparklers

These are often viewed as being harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures. Sparklers should not be given to anyone under the age of five. To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is equivalent to the heat from a welding torch.

Safety rules for sparklers

• Never give them to young children under 5
• Always wear gloves with sparklers, preferably leather ones
• Hold it at arms length while an adult lights it for you
• Use in a clear space away from others
• Never hold a baby in your arms when you are holding a sparkler
• When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water straight away and leave it there.

Pets

Animals don’t like bonfires or fireworks. The flames and noise upsets them. They should always be kept safely indoors. Make sure that they can’t get out through open windows and doors. It’s best to keep the curtains closed too and it may be necessary to keep them indoors for several nights around November 5.