A HARD-HITTING campaign has been launched in a bid to keep people safe on firework night.

More than 1,000 people in England and Wales were treated in casualty departments on November 5 last year.

Now fire and rescue teams, trading standards departments and the government have joined forces to warn the public of the dangers posed by fireworks.

New laws have come into force this year which aim to cut down on the use of fireworks in the street and the sale of fireworks to under-18s.

And the public have been urged to attend organised displays after a massive 42 per cent increase in casualties at family or private parties.

A national campaign, Think Of The Consequences, is aimed at men and teenage boys, the two groups most likely to be in charge of lighting fireworks at private parties.

"Fireworks can be fun when used properly but evidence shows that people forget to follow basic safety rules," said a spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry.

"If people become complacent the results can be disastrous so we are urging them to think of the consequences before someone is seriously injured."

The charity Guide Dogs for the Blind has also joined the call for the responsible use of fireworks, warning that many assistance dogs are traumatised by fireworks every year and have to be re-trained or even retired.

Organised displays planned in Dorset include those at the Littledown Centre, the Echo-backed Butcher's Coppice Scout Camp event in Kinson and numerous schools in the area.

Stanpit recreation ground will be the venue for a Hallowe'en bonfire and fireworks spectacular on Saturday in another Echo-backed event.

Anyone who plans to celebrate bonfire night is being urged to follow the firework code.

Light sparklers one at a time and always wear gloves.

Never give sparklers to a child under five.

Keep fireworks in a closed box.

Follow the instructions on each individual firework.

Light them at arm's length using a taper and stand well back.

Never return to a lit firework.

Never put fireworks in your pocket.

Never throw fireworks.

Keep pets indoors.