Doctors, police and fire services have raised concerns about the prospect of people injuring themselves with DIY firework displays.

As November 5 approaches traditional Bonfire Night displays have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But medics who deal with reconstructive surgery and those who care for patients with hand and burn injuries have urged people to think twice before purchasing fireworks for use at home.

A survey of 1,200 British adults, conducted by the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (Bapras), found that 37% were considering putting on their own display.

Surgeons have raised concerns that the number of A&E visits attributable to fireworks could drastically rise as a result of DIY displays this year.

Mark Henley, consultant plastic surgeon and president of Bapras, said:

"Every November, plastic surgeons across the UK witness serious injuries caused by fireworks, with many patients requiring multiple rounds of complex reconstructive surgery.

"With the NHS stretched to capacity due to Covid-19 and a huge backlog for surgical procedures, we simply cannot afford for an increase in preventable injuries and urge people to think twice before purchasing fireworks for personal use."

Bapras said there should be graphic warning labels on firework packaging, highlighting the risk of serious injury which can occur.

Meanwhile, Wandsworth Police are reminding the public of the legalities of possessing fireworks.

It is an offence for anyone under 18 to purchase fireworks.

Furzedown Police tweeted a photo this week, after confiscating fireworks from a 16-year-old.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Seized from a 16 year old male at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/furzedownrec?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#furzedownrec</a> this weekend! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iilegalunder18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iilegalunder18</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dangerous?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dangerous</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stopasb?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#stopasb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/youths?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#youths</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fireworks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fireworks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/staysafe?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#staysafe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/report?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#report</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/notforchildren?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#notforchildren</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/furzedown?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#furzedown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/communitypolicing?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#communitypolicing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/patrols?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#patrols</a> <a href="https://t.co/0QK9SFKlzh">pic.twitter.com/0QK9SFKlzh</a></p>— Furzedown Police (@MPSFurzedown) <a href="https://twitter.com/MPSFurzedown/status/1320375844582338566?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

London Fire Brigade has also called on people to "think twice" about holding a firework display or building a garden bonfire.

The brigade's assistant commissioner for fire safety Paul Jennings said:

"Think about your neighbours, particularly older people or those who are self-isolating, pets and of course those of us in the emergency services.

"This time of year is usually one of the busiest for firefighters and control officers and we also need to support our NHS colleagues, so please help us by keeping yourself safe."