A six-year-old girl has been left scarred for life after being struck by a firework during a home Bonfire Night display. Her family, who said they took every precaution, is now speaking out about the dangers of setting off fireworks.
The girl was watching a firework display in her back garden at the end of October last year when the incident happened. Her mother, who wants to remain anonymous, said the family had bought low-noise fireworks to keep their pets calm and had followed all of the safety instructions on the packaging.
Firework ricocheted and hit the child
When one firework was lit, it failed to take off and shot off sideways across the garden. The family watched as it struck a swing set and ricocheted back towards them, hitting the young girl, who was "on fire in seconds".
In a panic, the family tore off her dress and placed her in the shower to begin cooling the burns, before wrapping the affected area in cling film and rushing her to A&E. The severity of her injuries meant the girl subsequently required surgery for a skin graft in November. Her mother said she then endured dressing changes every two days, describing the ordeal as "incredibly difficult" for a six-year-old.
Family speaks out about lasting impact
The mother said the impact has gone far beyond the physical. She said: "Our daughter will unfortunately carry the physical and emotional effects of that night with her for the rest of her life."
She added: "As a family, we will also carry what happened with us forever. We did what we believed we were supposed to do, and yet a faulty firework still ended up hitting a six-year-old child. We want people to understand that fireworks can cause devastating burns and life-changing injuries in seconds. Even when people take precautions and follow the instructions, something can still go wrong."
Charity warns of rise in injuries
The warning comes as the Children's Burns Trust revealed that firework-related injuries to children have risen by 63% in the past year. Ken Dunn, a retired plastic surgeon and vice chair of the charity, described the increase as a "stark reminder that fireworks are not harmless toys".
He said: "A single spark can cause life‐changing burns, scarring and long-term rehabilitation." He urged families to consider attending an organised public display, keep youngsters away from fireworks, and act swiftly should a burn occur.
Becky Guy, senior policy manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), also urged families to attend public displays wherever possible. She advised those setting off fireworks at home to purchase from reputable retailers, follow safety instructions carefully, and ensure children are closely supervised and kept well clear of fireworks at all times.
