Keeping fun in fireworks

D District Community safety Inspector Colin Audley is appealing for parents, youth and community leaders to assist in making the festivities fun.

He said: “Last year during the period 1 Oct 2009 to 2 November 2009 we recorded 352 firework incidents across D District, 81in the Lisburn borough, 109 in the Newtownabbey Borough, 57 in the Carrickfergus Borough and 111 in the Antrim Borough.

“I would ask parents: `Where are your children tonight? Do you actually know what they are doing? Please make sure you know the whereabouts of your children to make sure that they are not engaging in any criminal activity, anti social behaviour or criminal damage to property.”

Individuals are urged to pay close attention to their own personal safety, if they intend to be in the vicinity of fireworks, sparklers or bonfires. Fireworks contain explosive, flammable substances, which can cause serious injury to an individual or damage to property. Children using sparklers should also be closely supervised.