A birthday celebration in Dorset turned into a nightmare for Karen Wells as a misfiring firework caused painful burns and chaos. During the family gathering in her back garden, a fountain-style firework, typically used without incident, toppled over and sprayed sparks, directly hitting her arm.
“I felt this awful blast of heat and pain right across my wrist. I knew instantly something was wrong — it just kept burning even after I moved away. I was shaking. It all happened in seconds, but it ruined the night,” Wells stated.
Following the incident, she received treatment for superficial burns at the hospital and was discharged later that evening. Safety experts emphasized the potential for serious injuries, cautioning that even small fireworks could be hazardous if mishandled.
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While the firework was a basic, single-effect model, safety experts stressed the importance of proper handling. Big Shotter Fireworks, a UK firework safety body, emphasized the significance of stability, distance, and adequate lighting technique in preventing injury.
The organization provides key tips for home firework safety to avert such accidents in the future.