A WARNING that the danger from fireworks will continue at least until the weekend was given last night by an eye surgeon, Mr Kevin Tempany. He is co ordinating a study of injuries in seven hospitals around the country.
The study calls for the introduction of legislation to standardise the type and grade of firework imported.
The report argues that this would transfer control of distribution from black market profiteers and illegal street traders to a Government agency.
Mr Tempany, from the Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, warned parents experience had shown that injuries continued to occur for several days after Hallowe'en night.
Mr Tempany's study, in conjunction with Prof Louis Collum of the Eye and Ear, and Ms Majella Doyle of Beaumont Hospital, involved ophthalmic clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo.
He found that most of the accidents happened at night and, with the exception of one case, involved unsupervised children.
They were mainly boys aged between 10 and 13. There were nine boys injured for every one girl.
Most of the fireworks came through England, but 75 per cent were made in China, with most of the balance coming from Germany.
Mr Tempany also warned about the danger of the country's only legal firework, the sparkler. "The danger with sparklers is the risk to eyes and the fact that the tip can reach temperatures of 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not only a danger to eyes but can set clothes alight."