THE HSE is calling on parents and young people to be especially careful over the Halloween period. Fireworks are illegal in Ireland, and most of the products on sale across the country are sub-standard and liable to cause serious injury, the HSE said.
The Halloween period is the busiest time of the year for fire services, and ambulance and hospital services are very busy.
Parents are advised to ensure that children are accompanied whilst trick-or-treating.
The HSE issued cautions over children's costumes. Long outfits could cause children to trip and fall. Masks should not obscure vision, reduce hearing or interfere with breathing, said Dr Stephen Cusack, consultant in emergency medicine at Cork University Hospital.
As well as warning against fireworks and bonfires, he cited the risk of nuts and boiled sweets potentially causing obstruction and choking in small children. "Parents should check their child's goodie bags. Indeed, some children have serious nut allergies and care should be taken that they are not unintentionally exposed."
Dublin Fire Brigade and Dublin City Council have launched a safety campaign about the dangers of bonfires and fireworks. As well as the threat of injuries, they cause an unnecessary burden to the fire and ambulance services.
The campaign asks people to anonymously report bonfire stockpiles at 1800 251500 or waste.management@dublincity.ie