Safety is Paramount
Here’s a bright idea: spend money on a board game as opposed to a box of fireworks.
I cannot claim it as my own: it comes from my Father. He was concerned for our safety during Bonfire Night so instead of my siblings and I heading out to a garden or park fireworks display, we would play a board game at home with the curtains drawn back so we could enjoy the night-sky light up in an explosion of colour from a safe distance, happy and cosy.
Our father always planned in advance how to occupy each of us on this night. He would take a trip out to buy the newest release of a family board game so we would have it set up in time. Wrapped up in the excitement of receiving this treat, we would forget about asking to go outside to watch the fireworks.
My mother helped with keeping us safely indoors too by baking her wonderful treacle toffee and Parkin, which still stirs up great memories as this tasty tradition carries on for her grandchildren.
Why not try this Parkin recipe, this tasty recipe is a treat for allergy sufferers too.
Times have moved on and now family supermarket trips around this time see even more colourful child-marketed boxes of fireworks. It is not easy to hide them from their view nor avoid your children’s requests for them. If you do decide to purchase fireworks, please keep them safely out of reach and at a secure distance from your children when choosing to let them off. If you do not want to purchase fireworks but still want to take your children to see them, why not leave it to the professionals and take them to one of the many organised public displays? For first-timers it is important to note that these events may become very crowded so please keep your children close by whilst having your family fun.
The UK Fire Service have issued this advice on fireworks; please keep safe!