St John Ambulance has launched a firework fan’s guide to staying safe during Bonfire Night celebrations.

Volunteers will be attending over 25 firework events across the county - including the Sevenoaks Charity Fireworks on Saturday, November 8 - so that anyone who needs first aid gets it quickly.

However, injuries are much more likely to occur at private parties, where trained volunteers won’t be on hand to help.

Every year, around 1,000 people will visit A&E for treatment of a firework-related injury in the four weeks around firework night.

James Fitzgerald, South East region events manager, said: "St John Ambulance is keen that people enjoy Bonfire Night but don’t end their celebrations in hospital.

"Our volunteers will be on hand to provide expert first aid assistance at hundreds of displays this year but if you are organising a private event, you need to know what to do if there is a first aid emergency.

"Research suggests that fewer than one in five of us knows even basic first aid, yet these are simple skills to learn which can have an incredible impact.

"For example, if someone suffers a burn injury, it’s important to take immediate action to prevent them from going into shock or suffering long-term damage. No-one should suffer from a lack of first aid, which is why we have put together our Firework Fan’s First Aid Guide."

The most common injuries that volunteers treat on Bonfire Night are burns from fires or sparklers, debris in the eye and smoke inhalation.

For more info and safety tips visit: http://www.sja.org.uk/bonfire