Explosive ideas

Eastlands Primary School pupils Daniel Clarke and Bobby Linecor designed posters to warn children about the dangers of fireworks.

It is an annual competition run by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards and Fire and Rescue Services, who ask children to design a poster or write a poem depicting safety issues associated with fireworks.

Around half of all firework injuries happen to children under the age of 16, many of whom may have burn scars for life.

Warwickshire County Councillor John Horner, portfolio holder for community safety, said: “The firework safety message is very important and I’m delighted to say that we had a great response to our competition this year, with over 1000 children taking part.

“I congratulate our winners and thank everyone for taking part.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Philip Johnson, chair of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, added: “Warwickshire’s Trading Standards Service and Fire and Rescue Service help ensure that fireworks are stored safely, are not sold to young people under the age of 18 and that children are protected when they attend firework events.”

The students were delighted to win the competition and teachers praised everyone who took part for their creative ideas.

Each winner will receive a £25 book token and a visit to a fire station. Their poster or poem will also be used as part of the November 2017 campaign.

Despite safety warnings, firework celebrations still end in painful injuries, including very young children.

For more information on fire safety visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue