The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents fears people planning bonfire celebrations at home in the next few days could be a split second from disaster.

Recent heavy rain is likely to have left wood soaking wet and difficult to light, tempting party hosts to use potentially lethal petrol, meths or paraffin to get their fire blazing.

David Jenkins, RoSPA Product Safety Adviser, said: "Bonfires have literally exploded because of the build up of fumes from accelerants, such as petrol or paraffin."

"People have been terribly burned and even killed when trying to speed things up by using flammable liquids. We urge everyone not to use them no matter how anxious they are to get the fire going."

"The best thing to do is to keep a store of dry materials and use those to start the fire. Don’t leave things until the last minute and in that way you will be able to light the bonfire safely and not be persuaded to rush things."

Finding the correct site for the bonfire is also important so that it will not set fences, hedges, sheds or other buildings alight. Bonfires can give off tremendous heat and there needs to be room for spectators to stand well back. No one near the fire should wear loose clothing. Items such as glass and aerosols should not be thrown into the flames as these can explode.

Firework safety

RoSPA recommends going to a properly organised public display rather than having private firework parties, but realises some people have to have their celebrations at home. They need to plan in advance in order to be safe and be sure they follow the firework code.

The number of people injured by fireworks last year rose to 1,160 compared with 1,136 in 2003. The biggest jump in injuries was at family or private firework parties with casualties going up almost 15 per cent from 515 to 590.

Almost half of the total injuries were to people under 18, who should not be getting their hands on fireworks. It is now illegal for under-18s to possess fireworks in the street or other public places. Nearly a quarter of the accidents happened in the street, where fireworks should not be let off.

Rockets were responsible for the highest number of injuries (283) last year, but 149 people were hurt by sparklers, which can burn with the intensity of a blow torch. Sparklers should not be given to children under five and should be lit one at a time.