They light up our skies every year with their brilliant colours and their tremendous screams, whistles and bangs.
Over the course of the Guy Fawkes weekend from the 2nd-5th November, there were a number of private and public firework displays and even if you didn’t go to one, you were bound to hear the almighty noises and see a few colourful splashes in the vast sky. Guy Fawkes night, or as its more commonly known Bonfire night, is always a popular celebration throughout the country.
Now whilst most people find these displays very interesting and beautiful, as do I, how many people actually realise the possible dangers of these weapons?
At a private party in Chingford in Essex, a very dangerous and potentially fatal accident took place. This family all came together on the evening of the 3rd November to watch the fireworks in the garden. The evening was going well and everyone was enjoying themselves and then something happened that changed the atmosphere completely. The leaders of the night decided to light the Catherine Wheel firework and did so just as carefully as they had been for the whole evening. What they did not realise was that they did not secure the wheel properly; it flew off the door and hurled towards the family whilst still whistling and spinning with sparks! The chaos that it created was quite spectacular. There were a number of children present, but luckily they were standing a safe distance away from where the explosives were set up. The adults in the family hurried the young ones into the house and soon they were all inside, watching as the wheel spun madly around the garden. The wheel continued to fly across the grass with no control, and the family stood in shock watching this mad machine go wild. Finally the sparks died out and the scene became safe for the family.
I asked the owner of the house how she felt when she realised the possible danger of the situation. ‘I was so scared, more for the children than for myself. If any of us had been just a bit closer to the fireworks there could have been a serious accident. As I watched it through my patio window, I imagined the effects that could have taken place. I thank God that we were efficient in making the situation safe for everyone and understand that it could have been a very sad night for the whole family.’
It is a relief to know that everyone in this family came out of the situation without any injuries. However it is unfortunate that every year we have hear about different accidents and sometimes fatalities that happen due to fireworks. They may look beautiful and create an enjoyable evening for many people and their children, but we must recognise the obvious dangers that are involved. People forget that fireworks are in fact explosions and so any involvement with them must be done so very carefully.