Surrey St John Ambulance is asking families to take extra care when attending or organising bonfires and fireworks over the next few weeks.

The organisation has put together some top first aid tips to enable people to be the difference between life and death should an accident happen.

The most common Guy Fawkes Night problems are burns, for example from touching a sparkler, and injuries to the eye, caused when people look up at the fireworks.

Burns

Holding the affected area under cold water for at least ten minutes will cool the burn down and help to prevent scarring

Burns covering an area larger than the palm of the casualty's hand will require professional medical attention and so the casualty will need to see a doctor or go to hospital

Major burns should be treated with water and in most cases an ambulance will need to be called to get urgent medical help on the way

Burns must never be treated with lotions, ointments or creams and adhesive dressings must not be applied to the affected area

To avoid infection the wound can be covered with any non-fluffy material such as cloth, a clean plastic bag or kitchen film.

Eye injuries

Stand beside or just behind the injured person. Gently separate their eyelids with your forefinger and thumb and ask them to look right, left, up and down while you examine the eye

If you can see a foreign object, wash it out by pouring clear water from a glass or jug or using sterile eye wash. Place a towel around their shoulders and pour from the inner corner of the eye

If unsuccessful then try lifting the object off with the damp corner of a clean tissue

If you still cannot remove the object, seek medical help.

Most large organised events will have qualified first aiders on site, many of whom will be St John Ambulance volunteers, ready to respond if needed. But if you follow this first aid advice, you too might be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

First aid advice can be downloaded by members of the public via St John Ambulance's iPhone application available from iTunes. For details of first aid courses in your area visit sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.