Bonfire night is only four days away, and the shops are selling fireworks.

In the excitement, it is easy to forget that fireworks are explosives and can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, or if used incorrectly.

Last year, 972 people were treated at hospital for injuries caused by fireworks and more than 50 per cent of those injuries happened to children aged under 15.

More than 100 of the injuries related to sparklers.

York Trading Standards urges everyone to remember, when storing or letting off fireworks, that safety has to be the number-one priority, especially child safety.

Anyone who sells fireworks must be registered with trading standards, and the fireworks must be stored safely. Fireworks cannot be sold to anyone under 18. Any person selling to those under 18 will risk prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000, and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.

Anyone who lets off a firework, or throws a firework in a street or public place, commits an offence, and can be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000.

York Trading Standards asks everyone to remember and follow the Firework Safety Code to ensure that bonfire night is enjoyed, and no one gets injured.

- Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114

- Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks

- Keep fireworks in a closed box

- Follow the instructions on each firework

- Light them at arm's length, using a taper

- Stand well back

- Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode

- Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them

- Always supervise children around fireworks

- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves

- Never give sparklers to a child under five

- Keep pets indoors

- If you are buying fireworks to use at home you cannot buy bangers, mini-rockets, aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar fireworks with erratic flight (e.g. ground spinners, jumping jacks, squibs) All fireworks which are not suitable for use by the general public have to be marked "This device must not be sold to, or used by, a member of the general public". If you are sold one of these do not use it and report the sale to Trading Standards.

FIREWORKS ARE EXPLOSIVES. GET WISE OR GET HURT.

If you want further information about firework safety or any other consumer matter contact York Trading Standards, telephone 01904 551562 or call at 9 St Leonard's Place. The fax number is 01904 551590, or email trading.standards@york.gov.uk