5 safety tips to remember, remember this 5th of November
5 safety tips to remember, remember this 5th of November
How do you make your November 5th bonfire night safe and fun for everyone?
Bonfire night is a great British tradition, and with good reason. What better way to cheer up a cold Autumn’s eve than by gathering around a fire and watching a fantastic firework display?
However, it pays to remember the origins of the 5th of November. After all, this is a night when we remember the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, and we all know how that ended for Guy Fawkes! So while bonfires and firework displays are a great way to bring families and communities together, we should also respect the fact that they can be extremely dangerous if dealt with incorrectly.
We have put together 5 simple rules for you to remember this 5th of November to keep you and your family safe while enjoying the festivities:
1. DISTANCE
Always keep a safe distance between yourself and the bonfire or fireworks display. Fires can be unpredictable, with floating embers still hot enough to catch fire on flammable surfaces. When handling sparklers, always keep them at arm’s length. And of course, never go back to a firework once it’s lit, even if it appears to have fizzled out.
2. ANIMALS
Pets don’t enjoy fireworks so it’s much kinder to leave them indoors if you’re going to a display, as the flashes and bangs will upset them. Close all the curtains to hide the bright lights, and try leaving music to help calm them and muffle the sound of the explosions. Before you light the bonfire, check for wildlife that may have mistaken the pile of wood for a cozy new home, especially hedgehogs.
3. WATER
Keep a bucket of water nearby so that you can put out sparklers by placing them in the bucket hot-end first. If you’re organizing a bonfire it’s a good idea to have several buckets or a garden hose on standby, so you can react quickly in case of emergencies.
4. COVER
Always wear gloves when handling or lighting sparklers, and when lighting fireworks. When your bonfire has died down, cover the embers with water and make sure it’s completely extinguished before leaving.
5. INSTRUCTIONS
There are many different types of firework so it’s essential you follow the instructions on how to light each one, and to follow the guidelines for suitable use. For example, you should never give sparklers to children under the age of five. Purchase your fireworks from a reputable retailer - now is not the time to go cheap!
A responsible person in charge
For the night itself, you need to appoint one person to be in overall control of the event. Choose the calmest, most organised person you know, preferably someone with previous event experience, and make sure they are involved at every stage of your planning for your event.
Avoid being a statistic with the local fire brigade, and plan your bonfire night festivities carefully, to keep everyone safe. Most bonfire and fireworks displays on 5th November go off perfectly, and these are the ones planned well in advance, with safety in mind.
Follow our advice and you will have a fun and safe bonfire night. For further reading see https://www.gov.uk/garden-bonfires-rules
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