Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is a cherished tradition celebrated with fireworks, bonfires, and gatherings. While it’s a time of fun and excitement, it’s crucial to prioritise safety to ensure an incident-free celebration. We’ll explore essential fire safety tips and guidelines to keep your Bonfire Night celebration safe for you, your loved ones, and your property.
We preface this by saying fireworks should be handled by trained adults and professionals to minimise the risk of accidents.
The Importance of Fire Safety
Bonfire Night celebrations involve fire, which can be dangerous if not handled with care. Understanding the importance of fire safety is the first step to ensuring a safe celebration. Bonfires and fireworks can bring joy and wonder to the night, but they also pose potential dangers.
Firework Dangers
Burns are a serious hazard caused by fireworks, from lighting them, their position and how high they go can all result in burn injuries. We stress that fireworks should only be handled by responsible adults who follow safety guidelines to minimise these risks.
Careful Handling
Careful handling and proper disposal of fireworks is paramount. Fireworks should be stored in a cool, dry place and kept away from open flames or heat sources. This reduces the risks of injuries happening during storage or transportation of the fireworks.
Adult Supervision
Responsible adult supervision during fireworks displays is heavily advised to make sure children stay behind the set barriers and are in the safest places set out by the event organiser. Children should never handle fireworks – such as sparklers – without adult guidance.
Preparing for a Safe Bonfire Night
Before the big night arrives, it’s essential to make preparations to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration.
Choosing the Right Location
Selecting a suitable site for your bonfire is of the highest importance, make sure to be in a large, open area to reduce the risk of the fire catching and spreading and make sure to have a safe distance between the fire and visitors. Obtain any necessary permits prior to the event to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Fireworks Setup
Set up a designated area for fireworks and maintain a safe distance from spectators. Clear the area of flammable materials, and ensure that fireworks are placed on a stable, flat surface.
Firework Safety Tips
Fireworks are the highlight of many Bonfire Night celebrations, but they can pose significant risks if not handled properly.
Storage and Transportation
Fireworks should be kept in their original packaging and stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and flames. This is to reduce the risk of them igniting during storage and transportation and lowers the risk of them not being suitable for use when being set up.
Safe Ignition
You should light fireworks at a safe distance and avoid mishandling. This is to protect you and everyone else around. Use an extended lighter or a safety igniter, and never lean directly over fireworks when lighting them.
Protective Gear
Safety equipment like safety goggles and gloves is priceless when handling fireworks. These precautions can help prevent injuries and should be worn at all times when handling and dealing with fireworks
First Aid and Emergency Procedures
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. Being prepared for emergencies is crucial.
Emergency Response
In case of a significant incident, call emergency services immediately. Provide clear instructions on how to describe your location. Remain calm and try to give as much information as possible to the call handler.
Designated First Aid Station
It is massively important to have a designated first aid station at your celebration. Ensure it’s stocked with essential supplies, and have someone trained in basic first aid available.
Northants Fire is Here to help!
We encourage you to explore more safety resources on our website to enhance your understanding of fire safety. Remember to share these crucial safety tips with your friends and family to ensure a safe and memorable Bonfire Night celebration.
We also offer comprehensive fire risk assessments, full fire alarm installations and also fire extinguishers. Contact us or call us 01604 760 600 to deepen your knowledge of fire and fire safety.
