'He lost half his scrotum and a testicle': Cork surgeon warns of dangers of Halloween fireworks

'We see a lot of accidents from people building the bonfires in their own estates. They are breaking down pallets and taking rubbish from houses. Aerosolised products can shoot out of bonfires like missiles, which is why they need to be avoided at all costs.'

A leading plastic surgeon has warned the use of dangerous Halloween fireworks is on the rise, which can leave young people with life-altering injuries.

Ann McKenna, a consultant plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork, has spoken about the traumatic long-term effects of Halloween-related injuries, amid concerns about a rise in their usage.

“We had one boy who was sitting down with his friends around a bonfire. They were watching fireworks when an aerosol shot out from the bonfire and landed on his lap. 

He lost half his scrotum and a testicle as a result of the incident. 

"He and his friends thought they were at a safe distance and never imagined that anything like this could happen. He was only 14 at the time.

“We have also had children who have brought out jerry cans from the shed and poured petrol on a bonfire that doesn’t look like it’s lighting. 

"However, as they’re pouring the petrol over the smouldering bonfire, this stream of petrol will ignite. What happens is their clothes can catch fire if they don’t drop the can in time. 

Ms McKenna is urging people to be aware of the dangers Halloween bonfires can present.

“We see a lot of accidents from people building the bonfires in their own estates. They are breaking down pallets and taking rubbish from houses. Aerosolised products can shoot out of bonfires like missiles, which is why they need to be avoided at all costs.” 

She said even localised burns could be life-changing for many young teenagers.

“We see a lot of hand burns, which can be particularly difficult for a young person. 

"The hands are always on display, and teenagers just want to look the same as everyone else."

While bonfires are always a source of concern, there is a growing risk from fireworks, which appear to be increasingly used by teenagers around Halloween.

“A lot of the injuries that we’re seeing are from fireworks that teenagers wouldn’t have been able to get their hands on so easily before. 

"It’s mainly hand burns. 

"The teenage groups would be on the rise [in presentations for treatment]. 

"At the moment, there seems to be greater accessibility for teenagers to get fireworks on the street. 

"It’s usually teenagers buying from other teenagers. Certain websites have created this buying-and-selling culture between teenagers, which is normal now. 

"This is the case even for 12- and 13-year-olds. 

"They usually meet up in the park to give out the fireworks, but the more savvy ones will sell them. 

"Often, there will be one child selling a batch of them. 

"If you want fireworks, then you bring your money. Teenagers are even Revoluting the money for fireworks. They won’t tell their parents, however, because they know it’s wrong.”