With crackers, bangers and sparkles lighting up the skies this week, MumKnowsBest offers some handy hints on Guy Fawkes safety so you and your little ones can enjoy bangs without the burns. One top tip is to inform your children of the dangers of fire and fireworks so they can work with you to act responsibly.

Only buy fireworks with a BS7114 safety mark and store them in a securely fastened box well out of little fingers' reach.

• Best to keep all pets indoors with windows shut and curtains closed to avoid upsetting your animals - a frightened pet can easily lash out.
• Think ahead and keep a bucket of water nearby to extinguish any sparklers or dowse an overheated bonfire
• Do you really need a bonfire? The evening's festivities can work just as well without the danger of a lighted fire. If you really can't go without a bonfire, keep it away from trees, fences or hedges and do not be tempted to get it going using lighter fuel or petrol
• Never throw a firework into a bonfire
• Watch what you and your children are wearing - tie back hair and keep long coats and sleeves out of harm's way
• Let fireworks off one at a time
• Check the fireworks instructions
• Never mix bonfires with booze! Save the mulled wine and beer till the children have gone to bed
• Don't fool around. The penalty for throwing a lighted firework is ¬£5,000!

Remember the firework code:

Light the tip of the firework at arm's length , using a safety firework lighter or fuse wick. Stand well back after lighting. Don't go back to a firework that hasn't lit. Simply leave it, douse with water and bury it in the ground later.

For more information go to www.directgov.uk