Posted: Thursday 3 November 2022, 09:30
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to attend an organised bonfire display this year.
Having a bonfire party at home increases the risk of fire and injury. Bonfires in the garden can soon get out of control and spread to the home if not managed in a safe and controlled way.
Celebrating the annual nod to Guy Fawkes and the gun powder plot also increases the risk of injury through the use of fireworks, therefore Firefighters are urging people to attend an organised display.
Prevention Station Manager Nic Lacey said: “Bonfire Night can be great fun and we want people of all ages to enjoy the festivities, but our priority is that people keep safe.
“The best advice we can give is to attend an organised event rather than risking your own safety by having your own bonfire or fireworks display.”
Last year Derbyshire Firefighters attended 6 fires related to bonfires and fireworks in the week surrounding Bonfire Night.
Figures from NHS England also show that nationally more than 100 people were admitted to hospital after being injured by fireworks in 2020/21.
Station Manager Lacey went onto say: “These figures highlight exactly why we advocate people attend an organised display where they can enjoy the celebration safely.
“If people do go ahead and have a bonfire party at home, I’d like to encourage them to become familiar with our safety advice."
Top Tips for Staying Safe:
- Only buy fireworks with a CE mark. Reputable retailers will only sell fireworks with this standard
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Don’t buy fireworks from unlicensed retailers – these may be unsafe and illegal
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Never go back to a lit firework!
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Carefully follow the instructions of each firework and ensure they are kept in a closed box, taking them out one at a time before closing the box again
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Be considerate. Let your neighbours know if you are having a display, especially if they are elderly or they have pets or children
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Ensure your pets are safe and always supervise children around fireworks
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Do not set fireworks off late at night and never after 11pm (extended to midnight on Bonfire Night)
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Never throw spent fireworks on a bonfire. Leave them some time before clearing them away.
If you must light a bonfire, follow these safety tips:
- Take care around open flames such as bonfires. All clothes, even those labelled ‘low flammability’ can catch fire
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Build your bonfire at least 18 metres (60ft) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds
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Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids to start a bonfire and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins or batteries
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Have a hose pipe or bucket of water on standby
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In the event of an emergency call 999 immediately