A leading fireworks expert has warned parents to beware the hidden dangers of sparklers this Bonfire Night – as few realise they can burn at up to 16 times the boiling point of water.

Although parents traditionally hand out sparklers to children while keeping them away from explosive fireworks, the hazards of the hand-held firework are generally unknown.

But Trevor Whichello, of Distant Thunder Fireworks of Market Lavington, near Devizes, says he cannot stand seeing children being given sparklers because people do not know that they are so potentially dangerous.

Sparklers burn at between 1,000C and 1,600C – temperatures which can cause serious burns.

“These are extremely hot and regularly we see parents giving them to children of four years old or younger and expecting them to hold these items responsibly. Coupled with the fact that today’s throw away clothing is often dangerously flammable – it’s beyond my comprehension and I absolutely hate to see it,” said Mr Whichello, the British musical fireworks champion.

The warning comes in the wake of a call from The British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons for the Government to introduce graphic warnings on firework packaging, in the same way as images of lung disease are on cigarette packs.

Mr Whichello commented: “This is a great idea. I think it should come in line with graphic images of car crashes displayed on cars, images of liver damage on alcohol sales and maybe dogs should wear something with images of how dog attacks have left people disfigured?

“My point being that nearly everything we use has the potential to cause injury if used incorrectly and fireworks are no exception.

“Obviously I don’t agree with the evaluation of fireworks though I do support the claims regarding sparklers.”

The Children’s Burns Trust has called on families to be especially careful with sparklers.

“It is predicted that this year 500 children will join the growing number of people who will remember bonfire night for the wrong reasons. They will have been injured,” said a spokesman.

“Sparklers are seen as a relatively harmless way of allowing very young children to participate in the thrill of fireworks night, but this is not true – a sparkler can reach temperatures of 20 times the boiling point of water.

“Never give sparklers to children under the age of five, make sure that older children wear gloves, and always have a bucket of water nearby.”

Meanwhile Wiltshire fire chiefs are urging people not to have fireworks displays at home this year.

Officer Ian Hopkins said: “We fully understand that people look forward to fireworks , having missed out last year due to the pandemic.We just ask everyone to leave it to the experts by going to one of the many organised displays being held locally.”

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.