A plastic surgeon is warning at least one to two children every year are having part of their hand amputated because of sparklers.
Ann McKenna says sparkler related injuries are more common than injuries from fireworks.
The warning has come ahead of Halloween celebrations this weekend.
The Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork says they can cause catastrophic burns;
"Small children don't realise the danger that it is and they don't let go" she said.
She says their hands come into contact with 1000-1600 degrees celsius, causing burns and in some cases ending in either partial or full hand amputations.
Ann McKenna says not only do sparklers cause injuries to the child holding them but also to others around them. She says they've also dealt with flame burns as children's clothes or Halloween costumes go on fire.
