Safety is key this bonfire night!
As bonfire night approaches, Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is asking residents to think about more than just buying the fireworks!
Bonfire night is one of the busiest nights of the year for most emergency services, due to the amount of small fires and firework related incidents, the majority of which occur at family or private parties and are caused through the misuse of fireworks, failure to observe the firework code and the consumption of alcohol.
Area Risk Manager, Simon Ellershaw, said: “We know that this can be an exciting time of year for children and young people and even some adults. Unfortunately year on year, we continue to see people make the same mistakes, which result in property being set alight because bonfires have been built too close to the building or children and adults being hurt in firework related incidents.”
If you can’t attend an organised display and you are planning to have your own bonfire, then there are some simple rules to follow:
* Bonfires should be sited at least 15 metres away from buildings, roads, hedges and fences and 50 metres away from any roads.
* Try to build your bonfire on the day of the event as this should prevent any unsuitable materials being added to it. One person should be appointed to look after the bonfire and they should also be responsible for lighting it.
* Keep fireworks in a closed metal box.
* Never go near a firework that has been lit, even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
* Always supervise children around fireworks.
* Always buy fireworks marked BS 7114, the British Standard safety mark
* Always check large bonfires before lighting to ensure, children or animals are not hiding in it.
* Never use flammable liquids eg petrol to light bonfires
Simon continues: “I want people to have an enjoyable Bonfire Night and the safest way to enjoy fireworks is actually to go to an organised firework display. However, if people are not able to attend an organised event, then there are plenty of ways they can keep both themselves and their families safe. For more information log onto: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue.”