There are about one thousand injuries due to fireworks in Britain in every year (not including injuries due to bonfires). More children are injured than adults. The vast majority of accidents are at private firework events or in the street.

Cabinet Member for Children and Families Cllr Zoe Nolan is calling for a ‘safety first’ approach to the forthcoming Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night celebrations.

Cllr Zoe Nolan said: “I would encourage families to go to the many organised firework displays across Milton Keynes rather than light bonfires and let off fireworks in their own gardens. It is so much safer to go to the official events.”

What concerns Cllr Nolan is that often their injuries are to their hands which can have a life changing impact on people.

She added: “My younger son is a trainee reconstructive surgeon. Training to be a plastic surgeon. They are seeing a huge increase in firework injuries which they’re finding hard to explain. But what is clear is that the safest approach is to go along to the professionally organised events.”

She continued: “Every year there is a huge bonfire display in Campbell Park on the 3 November. This is a great event and I would urge families to go to this and other local Firework displays like the one at the Scots Club, Bletchley on the 1^st November.”

Cllr Nolan concluded: “I want families and children to enjoy Bonfire Night. But I want a ‘safety first’ approach.”