REMEMBER, Remember the 5th of November! We all remember chanting this rhyme as children. Bonfire night can fill a child with wonder and we love to see their little faces light up at the sight and sound of the fireworks and the smell and taste of treacle toffee and parkin.

If you and your family follow a few simple rules this Bonfire Night, then hopefully your memories will be happy ones. Sadly for some families, it can be a very sad time due to accidents with fireworks and bonfires. It is a worrying fact that, according to a recent survey in Mother and Baby Magazine, nine out of 10 parents don't know how to give simple first aid which could save their child's life.

Ann Atkin, Blackburn with Darwen lead school nurse is helping to educate our children about the dangers and she provides great advice: "In 1999, 48,000 children under 14 attended casualty departments across Britain as a result of burns and scalds.

"Although injuries associated with Bonfire Night have reduced in recent years as more people have attended organised displays, the staff in the local casualty department this year will still be left to deal with injuries which are sometimes made worse by parents not knowing what to do if their child gets burned."

"According to casualty staff, children sometimes arrive with burns that have been treated with butter, margarine, olive oil, talcum powder and flour amongst other things.

"What you should treat burns with is cold running water and plenty of it, for at least five minutes. Cover it in a wet tea towel or pillowcase and go to casualty.

"Don't use a fluffy towel as the fibres will stick to the burns. If someone's clothes catch fire, lie them down so that the flames don't travel up their body.

"Don't roll them over as this can spread the burned area. Smother the flames in a blanket and pour cold water over it. If clothes are stuck don't try to pull them off as you will pull the skin off with them.

"If blisters form, don't pop them. They are nature's way of forming a sterile cover over the burn. Even a small burn in a child should be checked over as fluid can be lost and the burn may be deeper than you think. The best way to avoid all of these worries is to think ahead and plan your bonfire night carefully. A little forward planning can make all the difference between enjoying Bonfire Night or having to live with a permanent reminder."

So here's to a enjoyable and safe Bonfire Night.