Fireworks have hit the shelves today ahead of Guy Fawkes on Sunday, with more injury claims made last year than the previous nine years. An unassuming culprit was the cause of many injuries.
Crackers and jumping jacks are often the cause of injury, but seemingly harmless sparklers, often given to children, led to 71 claims last year.
"Sparklers can generate temperatures up to 2,000 degrees centigrade, so you can imagine that can cause instant full-thickness burn," Middlemore Hospital burns surgeon Amber Moazzam said.
There are warnings coming from those who deal with Guy Fawkes fires as well.
"Sparklers and things like that can be dangerous and people just don't think when they're using them.
"We're recommending people attend public displays if at all possible," Rachel Thorp from Fire and Emergency NZ said.
Restrictions imposed in 2007 were followed by a drop in claims but the injury toll's fluctuated since then.
The advice from fire experts for those planning some backyard fun is to keep a bucket of water handy and be sensible, so everyone in the family has a good time.
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