Families are being urged to follow the fireworks code this Bonfire night amid concern over accidents at home parties.

The warning comes as statistics show that nearly half of firework accidents last year happened at family or private parties.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said too many displays are held in back-gardens over the next few days which have not been properly organised.

Out of 972 firework accidents last year, 421 happened at family or private parties.

And more than half of these involved children aged under 16, even though it is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under 18.

Organised display

David Jenkins, product safety advisor for RoSPA, said: "The best advice is to go to a properly organised public display, they are much safer, but we know that not everyone can attend them.

"Far too many people still let off fireworks at home without recognising that they are dealing with explosives and planning accordingly.

"It is little wonder that things go wrong if people buy fireworks at the last minute, rush home with them and start lighting them without reading the instructions and without considering the safety implications."

The advice from RoSPA is for people to check their garden is big enough for the fireworks they are buying and to always follow the fireworks code.