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Bonfire night safety advice 2 Nov 2017 Bonfire night safety advice

Message sent by
Rob Stevens (Police, Neighbourhood Officer, Northamptonshire)

 

Staying safe around fireworks and bonfires

 

Fireworks can be great fun, not just for Bonfire night on 5 November, but also Diwali, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year.

 

However, despite annual safety warnings, firework celebrations still end in painful injuries for too many people, including young children.

 

Injury figures show the safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a large public display - far fewer people are injured here than at smaller family or private parties.

 

If you are having a firework party at home, you can make the occasion fun and safe for everyone by following the Firework Code, as well as these simple sparkler and bonfire safety tips.

 

Firework safety

 

Only adults should deal with setting up firework displays, the lighting of fireworks and the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used. The person setting off fireworks should not drink alcohol. Children and young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance. Keep any pets indoors and tell your neighbours so they can ensure their pets or livestock are kept safe too.

 

Follow the Firework Code for a safer fireworks party:

 

Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable. Only one person should be in charge of fireworks
Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time
Read the instructions in daylight beforehand, then follow the instructions on each firework before lighting, using a torch if necessary
Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back
Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
Never return to a firework once it has been lit
Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving

 

Sparkler safety

 

Sparklers may seem harmless but they burn at fierce temperatures, producing heat equivalent to that of a welding torch.

 

Top tips for sparkler safety:

 

Don’t give sparklers to children under the age of five. Always supervise children using sparklers
Always light sparklers one at time and wear gloves
Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes – they may catch light
Hold sparklers away from the body and at arm’s length while being lit and while burning
Don’t wave sparklers about close to other people or run while holding them
Don’t take sparklers to public displays, it will be too crowded to use them safely
Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out as they can stay hot for a long time
Never hold a baby in your arms while you are holding a sparkler

 

Bonfire safety

 

If you’re organising your own bonfire, keep everyone safe by following this advice:

 

One person should be responsible for the bonfire and all children should be supervised
Choose a site away from houses, garages, wooden fences, sheds, overhead cables, trees and shrubs AND ALWAYS AWAY FROM FIREWORKS
Build the bonfire on the day it will be lit so animals cannot hide inside it
Build the stack so that it’s stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
NEVER pour petrol, paraffin or methylated spirits onto a fire
Don’t put foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint or bottles on the fire
Keep a bucket or two of water, or the garden hose or household fire extinguisher handy in case of an accident
Avoid loose clothing and tie back long hair
After the party, pour water on the fire rather than leaving it to burn out

 

Fireworks and the law

 

Fireworks can and do cause serious injuries if mishandled, and there are laws restricting their sale and use. Stay safe and out of trouble with the following advice:

 

The law says you must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight, or New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am
It’s illegal to set off or throw fireworks, including sparklers, in the street or other public places
If you’re under 18, you can’t buy certain types of fireworks, or have any fireworks in a public place – they’ll be confiscated if found
You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You, or your parent or carer, could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90
Only buy fireworks from a reputable retailer and check they are CE marked. Since July 2017 only CE marked fireworks should be sold