Children are particularly vulnerable to serious accidental injuries from fireworks and sparkers at home, with some suffering life-changing burns; the public has been warned.
There were 85 firework-related hospital admissions in total in November 2025, compared with 60 during the same month in 2024. Admissions reached 161 during 2025, up 34% from 120 the previous year.
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS medical director, said: “Bonfire night is a great opportunity to be with friends and family, but this data is a timely reminder of the danger fireworks can pose – and it’s children that often end up paying a devastating price.”
Anna Baker, a clinical nurse specialist in children’s burn and plastics, warned that the injuries were frequently caused by fireworks purchased for use at home and highlighted the dangers of sparklers, which can reach extremely high temperatures.
The caution included the case of a 17-year-old Aleks Stasiukiewicz from Hartlepool, who lost his left eye after a firework incident in November 2024. He also suffered serious burns to his arm and leg. Aleks and his mother have since joined forces with University Hospitals Tees to raise awareness of firework safety.
The NHS is urging people to seek medical assistance promptly following any firework-related injuries. Its burns and scalds guidance advises cooling burns under cool running water for 20 minutes, while severe or deep burns require emergency medical attention.
The Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recommends attending professionally organized firework displays, keeping children supervised and standing well away from fireworks. It advises placing used sparklers in a bucket of cold water immediately after use.
The NHS advises calling “999” in an emergency, while further guidance on burns, first aid and firework safety is available through the NHS and RoSPA websites.
