Whizz! Whoosh! Bang! Aaah! Aaaargh! Everyone looks forward to Guy Fawkes Night, but gunpowder, fire and small children can be an explosive mix.

It seems to be the one time of year when everyone forgets just how much of a fire and safety risk these devices pose.

When it comes to fireworks, only ever buy ones marked with the code BS 7114 this means they are safety approved and won't just blow up in your face.

Always store them in a closed box and when you do use them follow individual instructions carefully.

Always light them at arm's length using a taper.

Once lit stand WELL BACK and never return to a lit firework.

Never put fireworks in your pocket and NEVER throw them.

Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves they can reach a temperature of 2,000 degrees centigrade and never give them to children under five.

Keep pets indoors on bonfire night. Even if you are not having a display, other people will. Take your dog for a walk before it gets dark. Not only will this mean he won't need a walk in the evening, plenty of exercise is likely to help him sleep through the noise.

With bonfires, make sure you build yours well clear of buildings, sheds, fences and hedges, and never leave it unattended by an adult until it is completely out.

Never put dangerous rubbish on the fire like aerosols, batteries, paint or old foam furniture as they can cause explosions or give off poisonous fumes.

Do not leave children unsupervised and, before lighting the fire, check kids or pets haven't crawled inside to hide.

Light the bonfire after the firework display so there is no risk of sparks or heat setting fireworks off.

You should never put fireworks on the fire.

Do not light fires in windy weather in case burning embers or sparks blow away and start other fires.

Liquids like petrol must not be used to light the fire as they ignite too quickly and can cause serious burns.

Always have a bucket of water available, in case the blaze gets out of control, and use it to douse the embers at the end of the evening.

If someone does accidentally get burnt, place the affected area under cold running water for at least 10 minutes longer if the pain persists.

Gently remove any rings, watches or constricting clothing from the injured area before it starts to swell.

Do not remove anything sticking to the burn as it may cause further damage. Dress the area with clean, sterile non-fluffy material once the burn has cooled. NEVER break blisters, remove loose skin or interfere with the injured area. DO NOT apply lotions, ointments or fats such as butter.

Seek medical advice if a child is burnt or if an adult receives a burn larger than a postage stamp. If the burn appears severe or extensive do not hesitate to take the casualty to hospital.

And one final warning fireworks and bonfires are serious matters and they are not toys, so drinking alcohol while supervising them is not a good idea.

So, if you take these basic precautions, you can have a fun-packed as well as safe evening.