Frontline responders from Cavan County Fire Service, An Garda Síochána, and the National Ambulance Service are urging the people of Cavan to celebrate Hallowe'en safely this year and to steer clear of illegal fireworks and unsupervised bonfires, which can cause life-changing injuries.
National Ambulance Service Community Engagement Officer Liam Stewart, Cavan Fire Brigade Sub-Station Officer Danny Barr, and Community Engagement Gardaí Christine Gallagher and Connor Donohoe recently addressed local fifth and sixth class students as part of Cavan Emergency Services' annual Hallowe'en Safety Campaign.
Illegal fireworks are not subject to safety standards and can often misfire, causing severe injuries to those handling them, and to bystanders. Every year in Ireland, injuries such as full-thickness burns, traumatic amputations, blindness, and hearing difficulties, are caused by illegal fireworks.
Trick or treaters and those in fancy dress, or parents of children dressing up, are reminded that many fancy dress costumes are extremely flammable, particularly those without the CE safety mark. Children should be taught to Teach children to STOP, DROP, and ROLL in the event that their clothing does catch fire: STOP immediately, DROP to the ground and cover face (unless hands are on fire), ROLL over and over until the flames are extinguished. Fire station officer in Virginia is Patrick Farrelly has this advice ahead of Halloween celebrations later this evening.
