FIREWORKS are fun but can be fatal, warned the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service this week.

Injuries, accidents and deaths sustained through misuse of explosives in the past have prompted the service to issue cautions and advice in the lead up to this year's Guy Fawkes Day celebrations.

Chief fire officer Steve Seaber said: "Fireworks are dangerous and can be lethal."

He urged people to take the utmost care in storing, handling and using fireworks, whether organising a display for friends and family or for the general public.

The consequences of not thinking before lighting up could be devastating, he added.

Firefighters were called out to two incidents where fireworks had been put inside postboxes last weekend.

People are advised to attend organised displays where possible and, if buying fireworks for private use, should rigorously follow the Fireworks Code.

Furthermore, anyone igniting fires or supervising bonfires is recommended to avoid alcohol, as this could compromise responsibility and prove to be a lethal cocktail.

Sparklers, often considered relatively harmless, also represent a serious hazard, causing many injuries to youngsters every year, according to Mr Seaber.

He said: "Sparklers burn with intense heat. They should not be given to children under the age of five.

"Children should always wear gloves when handling sparklers and should only hold one at a time.

"Never leave children unattended when they are holding sparklers.

"Once sparklers have finished burning, douse them quickly in a bucket of water, as they remain hot afterwards."

The service is also attempting to dissuade youngsters from playing around with fireworks and warns against putting them inside postboxes, as this could cause someone a great deal of harm.

Most emergency calls received each year by the fire service on Bonfire Night are to bonfires which have gone out of control.

Fires should always be built in the open and should not be positioned under trees or overhead cables.

Before lighting a bonfire, the area should be checked for hidden aerosol cans and gas cylinders, as they explode violently when heated.

Petrol or paraffin should never be used to light a fire and a hose or bucket of water should be on hand as a precaution and to pour over embers when extinguishing the blaze.

If a fire burns out of control, call the fire service on 999.

Mr Seaber added: "Although the number of accidents from fireworks has been decreasing in recent years, we cannot afford to be complacent."

The Firework Code includes the following recommendations:

Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves

Never give sparklers to a child under the age of five

Buy fireworks marked BS 7114

Keep fireworks in a closed box

Follow the instructions on each firework

Light them at arm's length using a taper

Stand well back

Never go back to a lit firework

Never put fireworks in your pocket

Never throw fireworks

Keep pets indoors.

November 6, 2001 10:30