The safest way to enjoy Bonfire night and Fireworks night is to go to a professionally organised event, but if you are having your own fireworks or bonfire night display at home this year you need to follow a few simple safety tips to make sure it's a safe one.
Bonfire Safety:
- Build your bonfire well clear of garden sheds, hedges, fences, overhanging branches and buildings
- Check the bonfire just before you light it to make sure there are no animals or children inside and nothing hazardous has been thrown on it
- Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire
- Light bonfire after fireworks display so stray sparks do not fall into fireworks area
- Never burn dangerous items on your bonfire such as aerosol cans, paint tins, batteries or foam furniture
- Do not leave a bonfire unattended, an adult should supervise it at all times until it has burnt out. Damp it down with water if it has to be left
- In case of an emergency always keep a hosepipe or bucket of water nearby
- Make sure the bonfire is out and surrounding area made safe before leaving
Fireworks Safety:
- Only buy fireworks marked with the British Standards Kitemark BS 7114 and only from reputable suppliers
- Always keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time
- Keep cigarettes and all other naked flames away from fireworks
- Do not drink alcohol if setting fireworks off
- Follow the instructions carefully, read by torchlight or daylight, not by a naked flame
- Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back
- NEVER go back to a firework once it's been lit, even if it hasn't gone off
- Never put fireworks in your pocket
- Never throw fireworks
- Always supervise children around fireworks
- Do not give sparklers to children under the age of 5
- When sparklers go out, put them in a bucket of water straight away
Your Pets:
- Don't forget most animals get very scared by the noise and lights on fireworks night so keep your pets indoors throughout the night with the curtains closed.
After all that! If you follow all the bonfire and safety advice i'm sure you'll have a spectacular bonfire and fireworks night to remember.