Bonfire night can be great fun, for both children and adults alike. However, there are many risks  associated with bonfires and fireworks, and it is important to pay attention to them and find out how to avoid them. With many families likely to celebrate this year’s Bonfire night at home due to organised firework displays and communal bonfires being cancelled, this makes it all the more crucial that safety is top of mind.

Fireworks

Now organised firework displays are cancelled due to Corona Virus restrictions,  many families will  be resorting to using fireworks at home. However, the Fire Service is discouraging people from holding their own displays as the risk of injury is heightened but if you cannot do without fireworks, you ensure you carefully keep to the firework code as follows:

• Only buy fireworks that are CE marked.

This safety standard will keep you from buying bad quality or illegal fireworks that have been through no safety checks and have a high likelihood of going wrong.

• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.

It is critical that explosives such as fireworks are handled with the utmost care, so don’t drink alcohol before or whilst setting up and setting off fireworks.

• Keep fireworks in a closed box and follow the instructions on each firework.

This will ensure the fireworks are not unstable and have not been tampered with. The safety instructions must also be given attention because there may be conditions and rules specifically for that firework.

• Light them at arm’s length, using a taper and stand well back.

Always keep as far away as possible from the fireworks while both lighting and watching them to make sure no one gets injured by the explosion.

• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode.

A firework that doesn’t go off must be left for the night, so it is a good idea to cordon off the area. Before the end of the night soak the firework with a bucket of water from a safe distance, and then submerge it in water for as long as possible.

• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.

Always treat firework with the utmost care and obey safety instructions.

• Always supervise children around fireworks.

Uk fire services report that more injuries on bonfire night from fireworks are children than adults. Always educate little ones before celebrations.

• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves, and never give sparklers to a child under five.

Sparklers are always hot even after they’ve gone out so put them in a bucket of water after their use as well.

Bonfires

The safest course of action this Bonfire Night is to go without a bonfire, and instead enjoy a wood fire in a smaller, safer, fire basket. You can toast marshmallows and hot dogs, and still have family fun.

However, if you do decide to hold a bonfire, follow these safety tips to have the safest one possible. Firstly, take time to decide where to place the bonfire. It should be away from fences, trees, and other structures that can catch alight. Smoke can also cause issues to drivers, so situate your Bonfire well away from the road. Only burn fire-safe materials, such as wood, never domestic waste as this can cause health problems and emit poisonous smoke. Never pour petrol, paraffin, or any other flammable substances onto the fire, only use firelighters. Always keep a water supply handy and ready to use in case of emergency. Avoid wearing loose clothing that may catch alight and tie back hair and scarves. After the celebrations have finished, ensure the fire is fully extinguished, as a smouldering pile of ashes can still start a fire.

Here at Firechief, we want you to feel safe. Our mission is to work hard every day to protect lives and property from fire by providing a range of fire safety products that can be trusted to perform when the heat is on.

The Firechief range includes high performance fire extinguishers, fire blankets, first aid kits and lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers.

For more information, call us on +44 (0)330 999 0019 or email sales@firechiefglobal.com.