Bonfire Night is almost here and everyone wants to enjoy the celebrations and ensure they are memorable. If safety rules are followed your night can go off with a bang (not literally!) and everyone will enjoy themselves. Fireworks are great and can make your Bonfire night truly spectacular but it is important to remember that they are very dangerous. It's better to go to a local organised display where possible, these organisations tend to be entertaining and it's less harmful to animals and pets.
If you are thinking of having your own display, the Firework Safety Code is extremely useful.
The Firework Safety Code
• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114. Be careful that you buy from a reputable shop with knowledgeable staff.
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks. Sounds obvious, but unless you want to end up with a Darwin Award it's a must.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box.
• Follow the instructions on each firework.
• Light at arm's length, using a taper.
• Stand well back.
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them. Again this is obvious but we all know there are people for whom warnings like "Caution: Coffee is hot!" are necessary.
• Keep pets indoors.
• Always supervise children around fireworks.
Sparklers
Sparklers are very pretty and can be part of the experience on Bonfire Night. However, I just read rather scary statistic- sparklers are 5 times hotter than cooking oil when lit.
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
• Never give sparklers to a child under five.
I hope everyone enjoys their Bonfire Night safely, for some of what's happening in Redditch, along with recipes for Bonfire Night, flick through thebestof Redditch site.
