People can lose fingers and limbs when handling dangerous fireworks and bangers, health and safety experts have warned. 

Halloween is just around the corner, and while buying or using fireworks without a licence is illegal, emergency services are preparing for a busy, dangerous night.

Dublin Fire Brigade Assistant Chief Greg O’Dwyer told Newstalk reporter Henry McKean he has seen “serious life-changing injuries” as a result of fireworks over the years. 

“Our ambulances are extremely busy on Halloween,” he told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“They see some very horrific injuries, to bangers going off in children’s pockets spontaneously, and people losing their fingers or parts of limbs, and of course an awful lot of eye injuries. 

“If people are attending bonfires and someone throws a firework at it, they can come out literally like missiles and strike people.” 

Mr O’Dwyer recommended people attend licenced firework events, often organised by local authorities. 

Fireworks launched in local neighbourhood. Image: Richard Levine / Alamy Stock Photo

One young boy told Henry he loves fireworks and bangers, even if he finds “the ones that go up in the sky” scary. 

“I was down in Ringsend and two boys had fireworks – they threw at this girl’s and her face was all wrinkled,” he said. 

Buying in Northern Ireland

Fireworks are legal in Northern Ireland, meaning an influx of people from the Republic arrive in towns like Newry every year for Halloween equipment. 

One firework shopper told Henry his neighbourhood has a local fireworks display, but he’s buying his own for his children. 

“My young fella is 11 years old, and he is autistic with severe sensory issues, but he likes the fireworks,” he said. 

He said there’s a “fine line” between safety and restrictions. 

“There must be a middle ground there,” he said. 

“[The law] should change, as long as you have guidelines and health and safety with it.” 

Patrols

Authorities are well-aware of people going to Northern Ireland for fireworks, and Principal Officer for Criminal Justice Antoinette Doran said “overt and covert” operations are underway. 

“Gardaí engage in high visibility patrolling of public transport, they do some great work with schools and youth clubs to kind of raise awareness about fireworks, they monitor social media,” she said. 

“We do ask any member of the public if you see material being collected for what looks like it's going to be a bonfire to let your local Gardaí know. 

“It's precisely because they're designed to explode or burn that they're dangerous and so they're regulated.” 

Fireworks seized by Gardaí, 31/10/2022. Image: An Garda Síochána.

Mr O’Dwyer said many are still still unaware that fireworks are “absolutely illegal”. 

“Just stay clear of them,” he said. 

“We want people to have an enjoyable Halloween.” 

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