:eek Look at this!
Parents and shopkeepers in Middlesbrough are to be shown the disturbing pictures in the run-up to Bonfire Night on 5 November.
Cleveland Fire Brigade said parents were largely to blame for not knowing what their children were up to.
Monitoring of shops in the area is to be stepped up in an effort to reduce the risks of death or serious injury.
Mark Whelan, of Cleveland Fire Brigade, described the images as "shocking."
The CCTV footage was highlighted by firefighters and shows the youngsters letting off fireworks near homes on an estate in Middlesbrough.
One of the youths is seen firing a rocket he is holding in his hands - only feet away from where other boys are standing.
Mr Whelan said: "It is absolutely horrifying to see what these young children are doing. I just do not think they are aware of the dangers that are involved.
"So we are trying to get it across to young children that it is really dangerous to play with fireworks and they will, if they continue, be injured or die."
Mr Whelan also called on parents to be more aware of where their children are going as the evenings get darker.
He added: "Parents need to ensure that they know what their young children are doing on an evening and that they are not playing with fireworks."
Mr Whelan said he was convinced licensed traders were not selling fireworks to under age children.
But he said officers would be visiting retailers to show them the images in an effort to press home the dangers of allowing young children to get hold of fireworks.
These kids are lucky they aint dead! Don't go trying this anyway! Many people have died because of fireworks and sparklers. In one month in 2005, over 400 people were injured and many died, and some were kids, because they never took care of themselves properly when dealing with fireworks. If you're a parent, make sure your kids know how to use fireworks safely...and don't let them do it on their own. Don't let kids as young as 13 set them off on their own!
So what do you make of this shocking story, that only happened 3 days ago?
Children as young as seven are seen setting off fireworks in their hands in footage released by the fire service.
Parents and shopkeepers in Middlesbrough are to be shown the disturbing pictures in the run-up to Bonfire Night on 5 November.
Cleveland Fire Brigade said parents were largely to blame for not knowing what their children were up to.
Monitoring of shops in the area is to be stepped up in an effort to reduce the risks of death or serious injury.
Mark Whelan, of Cleveland Fire Brigade, described the images as "shocking."
The CCTV footage was highlighted by firefighters and shows the youngsters letting off fireworks near homes on an estate in Middlesbrough.
One of the youths is seen firing a rocket he is holding in his hands - only feet away from where other boys are standing.
Mr Whelan said: "It is absolutely horrifying to see what these young children are doing. I just do not think they are aware of the dangers that are involved.
"So we are trying to get it across to young children that it is really dangerous to play with fireworks and they will, if they continue, be injured or die."
Mr Whelan also called on parents to be more aware of where their children are going as the evenings get darker.
He added: "Parents need to ensure that they know what their young children are doing on an evening and that they are not playing with fireworks."
Mr Whelan said he was convinced licensed traders were not selling fireworks to under age children.
But he said officers would be visiting retailers to show them the images in an effort to press home the dangers of allowing young children to get hold of fireworks.
These kids are lucky they aint dead! Don't go trying this anyway! Many people have died because of fireworks and sparklers. In one month in 2005, over 400 people were injured and many died, and some were kids, because they never took care of themselves properly when dealing with fireworks. If you're a parent, make sure your kids know how to use fireworks safely...and don't let them do it on their own. Don't let kids as young as 13 set them off on their own!
So what do you make of this shocking story, that only happened 3 days ago?
