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365 Alive - Think Safety

Remember Remember the 5th November!

Fireworks

Watching fireworks is popular and fun. But fireworks are explosives and burn at high temperatures, so they need careful handling and storage.

Have you considered attending an organised event rather that risking your safety by having your own?

If you still want to hold your own fireworks party please don’t put your family or friends at risk, follow the easy checklist for a safe home firework display.

Bonfires

Make sure your bonfire is at least 18 metres (60ft) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds. Only clean dry timber should be burned.

Do not burn:

  • aerosols
  • batteries
  • bottles
  • foam-filled furniture
  • tins of paint
  • tyres.

Bonfires should be no more that 3 metres in height. There should be a suitable barrier around the bonfire to keep spectators 5 meters away.

Do not use

  • petrol
  • paraffin
  • diesel
  • or other flammable liquids to light your bonfire.

Do

  • use domestic firelighters to light your bonfire
  • keep some buckets of water nearby.

Fireworks

Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114 this is the British Standard that all fireworks should meet.

Do not

  • Go back to a lit firework – even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode.
  • Throw fireworks or put them in your pocket.
  • Drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks.

Do

  • Store fireworks in a closed box and take them out one at a time.
  • Follow the instructions on each firework. Use a torch to read them – never a naked flame.
  • Light fireworks at arm’s length, using the taper provided.
  • Make sure everyone stands well back.
  • Supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under five.
  • Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
  • Keep pets indoors.
  • Keep a bucket of water nearby.
  • Take care around open flames such as bonfires and barbecues – even clothes labelled “low flammability” can catch fire.
  • Put used sparklers hot end down into a bucket of sand or water.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable bonfire night!

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