How to keep vulnerable members of the family safe this Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night quickly creeps up once the plastic pumpkins head towards the landfill site. But, the night, though fun for many can be tricky for the more vulnerable members of the family.
We have put together some advice from four leading bodies, advising parents how to have an enjoyable and safe 5 November.
How to celebrate Bonfire Night with autistic children
Spokesperson from the NAS Helpline, Emma Delaney says: “Many parents of children with autism tell us they choose not to celebrate Bonfire Night because their children find it too distressing. The unexpected nature of displays can cause anxiety and stress, and for those with sensory issues, fireworks can be thunderous and blinding. But there are ways to make Bonfire Night a positive experience for children with autism.”
Plan well in advance
Create count down calendar so your child can understand when Bonfire Night will take place and make an itinerary of the evening in advance so that they realise what will be happening and when. Using social stories is another good way to prepare children and some parents have reported the success of sound therapy for improving children’s ability to deal with noise. By their nature fireworks are unpredictable, try to help you child understand what to expect. Sparklers may not have much sound, but they look like mini fireworks so try and show them some in advance. Watching videos of fireworks displays may also help prepare them.
Find out if there is an organised event
Some local authorities provide displays that are suitable for people with disabilities that might be less crowded and cause less anxiety for people with autism. Check on their website or give them a call.
Make sure plenty of food and treats are available
Snacks and drinks like hot chocolate can act as a distraction and also calm children down. Warm clothes can also be a great comfort. Pack items that help soothe your child, such as a weighted vest, favourite toy, or hand-held game.
Invest in a set of headphones or ear defenders
These can help to block noise and reduce the anxiety that people with sensory issues experience. There are some that block out noise but still allow speech to be heard, which can be reassuring. Check the internet for stockists. Or use a set of headphones. You can even play soothing music through them. Ear muffs can be useful and keep ears warm too.
Watch from far away
Parking some distance from the display and watching from the car is one way to enjoy the visuals without any of the noise. If you go to a big display, stand away from the crowds. If you are having fireworks in the house, allow them to watch from inside where it is warm and they can experience the pretty sights without the loud noises.
Give a safety speech
Don’t miss this perfect opportunity to talk with your children about fire safety and the dangers associated with explosive devices. Be aware that some dislike of fireworks may come from anxiety or fear of being hurt. Reassure them that you are obeying the rules of safety.
Stay at home
Keep it simple by inviting family and friends to the house so that you are in control and do not have to wait around in the cold. Outdoor displays may not keep to their advertised time and this may make people anxious. If you buy your own fireworks you can avoid loud ones that might cause distress and instead focus on bright and sparkly ones. Low noise fireworks are also widely available.
Turn up the TV
This can drown out the noise of local displays or neighbours’ fireworks. Try playing predictable music or a favourite TV show that will cover sound. It might be a good time to get out the games console.
Have a virtual bonfire night
There are several virtual fireworks displays available online, where you can control the level and noise of the fireworks.
Set an example
Being calm yourself and being around children or adults that are not scared, can have a calming effect.
For more information and advice, visit: www.autism.org.uk.
How to celebrate Bonfire Night with a Baby
Dr Lin Day, founder of baby development classes Baby Sensory, has the following advice for parents looking to celebrate Bonfire Night with young children.
Protect your baby’s ears
Safety is paramount, so think about attending an organized display. Find a safe place and don’t get too close to the fireworks. Loud noises above 80 dB can affect the development of hearing in babies and young children. Fireworks register at 140 dB, which is loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss. Earmuffs can effectively reduce dangerous levels of noise and can be used on babies as young as six weeks old. Unfortunately, there isn’t any ear protection designed for newborn babies. It is never a good idea to use earplugs since these could damage the soft ear canal of a baby or young child. They could also become a potential choking hazard if they find their way to your baby’s mouth.
Keep warm
Wrap your baby up in several layers of clothing, making sure that his or her hands, feet and head are well covered. A forward-facing sling carrier, or back pack, keeps your baby close to your body and provides warmth, safety and security. Putting your baby in a carrier also enables you to hold on to a mobile toddler or child, who may be inclined to walk off if unsupervised.
Be aware of toxic chemicals
Watching the bonfire can also be great fun, but it can pose a serious safety risk. Children are far more likely to get injured than adults, so safety and supervision are paramount. Sparks can fly out of the fire so fast that a baby’s or child’s eyelids may not have time to react. Even if emergency aid is immediate, damage to the eye could be permanent. Wood smoke contains over 200 chemicals, many of which are detrimental to health. Treated or painted wood smoke contains an even greater range of toxic compounds. The only way to prevent injury, and to protect children’s health, is to keep them at a safe distance from the source of danger.
Dealing with fear and panic
Most children are mesmerised by fireworks, but if your baby or child becomes overwhelmed or frightened, offer plenty of reassurance. If this doesn’t work, make a quick get-away. An alternative would be to watch the display from the car. If all goes well, the family can stand outside the car for a better view.
If you’re celebrating at home
If you are thinking of celebrating Guy Fawkes Night at home, set the theme with Handel’s ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’ or Tchaikovsky’s 1812 cannon overture. Use LED battery operated fairy lights to create a magical effect (the bulbs do not get hot, so there is no risk of injury). Serve hot soup or drinks to adults in glass-free flasks to reduce the risk of accidents, but keep alcohol out of the reach of small hands. Even a small amount left in a glass can be poisonous to a baby or small child.
Sparkler facts
Never give a sparkler to a child under five years of age. A sparkler reaches a temperature of about 2000oC, which is five times hotter than cooking oil. Older children should wear protective gloves, hold a sparkler at arm’s length and be fully supervised at all times. Sparklers can stay hot after they have gone out, so plunge them into a bucket of water to keep children safe. If fireworks are to be used, avoid firecrackers, jumping jacks and spinners that can cause damage and injury. The best option for babies and children is to look at the display from an upstairs window.
Enjoy!
If your baby or child is warm, wears earmuffs and keeps a safe distance from the bonfire and fireworks, then the celebrations will be stimulating, safe, fun and memorable for everyone.
For more information about Baby Sensory, visit: www.babysensory.co.uk
How to protect your little one’s hearing
UK hearing loss charity RNID, is urging parents to make sure they protect their child’s hearing during the bangs and flashes.
They have discovered some fireworks reach more than 155 decibels which will affect the sensitive hearing of children.
The charity are recommending parents filter the sound reaching their children’s ears using defenders such as the Pelter Kid ear defender.
Spokesperson for RNID Products’, Mark Catling says: “The noise caused by fireworks is a very real but often forgotten risk to hearing. Though bonfire night is a time of fun for all the family, protecting the hearing of your young ones is vital to prevent potential hearing damage, ensuring that you can all continue to enjoy bonfire night for years to come”.
The Pelter Kid ear defenders (£12.28) are available from RNID products on www.rnid.org.uk/shop or 01733 361199.
Keep eyes safe from injury
Registered charity, The Eyecare Trust, aims to raise awareness of eye health and care. They are urging families to make sure they are not going to be one of the ten people this year to lose their sight, or one of the 300 people to suffer a serios eye injury as a result of firework accidents.
Be careful of sparklers they warn. Though generally considered to be one of the safer fireworks, the can reach temperatures of up to 2000 degrees celcius.
The Eyecare Trust has released a sparkler code to help protect your eyes.
Chairman of The Eyecare Trust, Dharmesh Patel says: “Eye damage caused by fireworks is so often avoidable and can lead to permanently reduced vision or even blindness, so this year the Trust is urging people to take extra care of their eyes and follow the SPARKLER safety code.”
Shield your eyes with protective eyewear when lighting fireworks
Plunge sparklers into a bucket of cold water as soon as they have burnt out
Attend organised displays wherever possible
Read the instructions on the fireworks with a torch and follow them carefully (ensure your fireworks comply with the British Safety Standard (BS 7114)
Keep all fireworks in a closed metal box and only light one at a time
Leave fireworks that fail to go off – never return to a lit firework
Ensure everyone stands a safe distance away when the fireworks are going off
Remove all debris and flammable objects from your firework display area
If anyone in your party does suffer a firework eye injury:
Seek medical attention immediately. Quick action can minimise long-term damage.
Do not rub or rinse the injured eye, or apply any ointments to the eye area. If you do, it could increase any damage and make it more difficult for a specialist to provide treatment.
If you’re planning your own bonfire night party remember there are certain legal restrictions governing the use of fireworks. It is illegal to set-off fireworks between 11 pm and 7 am (except on 5 November when the restriction is extended until midnight).
www.eyecaretrust.org.uk