Fiery celebrations mix caution with tradition

"I'm happy for them to hold sparklers because basically that's what I would do growing up as a child. But I won't let them touch or hold anything else."

Janice Bullen saw her grandmother hit in the leg and a friend struck in the eye with sky rockets when she was a child, but she still enjoys celebrating Halloween and Guy Fawkes, with safety measures in place.

Mrs Bullen grew up in Dublin, where most of October was marked with fireworks and bonfire displays as well as Halloween celebrations.

Now the Hamilton mother of two said dressing up with her children and going trick or treating and attending fireworks parties was a tradition she intended to keep, despite the two childhood accidents.

Mrs Bullen said she would watch her children, Lachlan, 5, and Aoife, 3, carefully around fireworks.

"I'm happy for them to hold sparklers because basically that's what I would do growing up as a child. But I won't let them touch or hold anything else.

"As a mother, you have to be very cautious that these things can go very quickly."

The gymnastics co-ordinator said the family would trick or treat around their neighbourhood tonight with a group of friends and they would attend three fireworks parties over the weekend and on Guy Fawkes Day on Tuesday.

Top 5 safety tips for Guy Fawkes
Commemorating the failed "Gunpowder Plot" of 1605, an assassination attempt on King James I

1) Never let a child light fireworks

2) Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy

3) Do not set off fireworks while drunk

4) Do not aim fireworks at people or animals

5) Dispose of used fireworks and sparklers, doused with water, in a stainless-steel bucket.