Ahead of the clocks going back and with Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching, much-loved hero Fireman Sam is launching a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of fire safety amongst children.
Known for protecting the citizens of the Welsh town of Pontypandy alongside his esteemed colleagues, Fireman Sam teaches valuable lessons on fire safety while reinforcing the importance of staying calm during an emergency.
This October, Sam will be sharing his top tips to staying safe at Halloween and enjoying the festivities at bonfire and fireworks displays. Bringing these important tips to life, Fireman Sam and his team feature in animated videos that will ensure all members of the family are aware of the potential fire hazards around these special events.
Real-life fireman for East Sussex Fire & Rescue and advisor to the children’s TV show Paul McIvenny comments, ‘My advice to parents would be to be extra vigilant while trick or treating at Halloween this year particularly with naked or open flames, opt to attend a well-organised fireworks display, or if you hold your own event ensure all your family and friends follows Sam’s Safety Tips”.
Paul, who attends many accidents at this time of year, adds ‘I’ve seen severe burns as a result of handling fireworks incorrectly and also a lot of small accidents where children are lucky to have escaped with minor burns which could have been avoided, so I would strongly suggest parents take extra care as well as making their children aware of the potential dangers too”.
Fireman Sam’s Top Tips
Bonfire Do’s and Don’ts
• Site bonfire well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and always keep away from fireworks.
• Build the bonfire stack so that it is stable and never light with flammable liquids.
• Keep everyone away from the fire, especially children who must be supervised at all times, and pets are best kept indoors.
• In case of an emergency, keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready.
• Pour water on the embers before leaving.
Firework Dos and Don’ts
• Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on each firework. Read them by torchlight – NEVER a naked flame.
• Light fireworks at arm’s length using a safety firework lighter or fuse wick. NEVER go back to a lit firework.
• Always wear gloves when handling sparklers and hold at arm’s length. Once finished, put in a bucket of water.
• Never give sparklers to children under 5.
For more information, fun games and competitions please visit www.FiremanSam.co.uk