Advice if you are planning a family fireworks display
03/11/2020
In the absence of organised displays, here are the things to look out for if you are having your own bonfire night celebration
With all public firework displays cancelled this year many people are thinking of having their own family displays. Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service has provided some guidance for anyone with plans to hold a bonfire night event.
Their list of top tips includes guidance on where to buy fireworks, how to store them and how to keep everyone safe.
Pete Mackay, Community Safety Manager from Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, said: “If you are planning on using fireworks for a private event, please keep the Fireworks Safety Code in mind: www.saferfireworks.com as well as following the local and national COVID-19 guidance.
“Remember, only buy fireworks from a reputable retailer. Before purchasing, seek advice on the suitability of fireworks for the space available, and check that they meet current safety standards.”
Superintendent Bhupinder Rai, Head of Local Policing for Thames Valley Police, added: “It is important to remember that fireworks are explosives and that these can be very dangerous when used irresponsibly. Last year we received more than 160 calls related to fireworks on Halloween night, the majority of which related to fireworks being used inappropriately by young people, including throwing fireworks at police officers, members of the public, vehicles and buildings.
“The consequences of incidents like these can be incredibly serious and, as fireworks go on sale for private use this year, I want to remind the public that it is illegal for a person under 18 to possess an adult firework in a public place. This excludes sparklers, caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throw downs.
“If you have fireworks in your home, please ensure that these cannot be accessed by your children and in any case, remind them of the serious consequences that these items can have when used inappropriately.”
During the fireworks period the County Council’s Trading Standards team will be inspecting all firework premises. They will give businesses advice on the responsible sale and storage of fireworks and will check they meet the necessary safety standards.
Anyone with concerns that retailers are not storing fireworks appropriately, selling fireworks that do not display a CE mark, or selling to anyone under 18 should contact Trading Standards. They can also provide safety advice on disposing of unused or damaged fireworks, which should not be put into your bin.
Top safety tips for Bonfire Night:
- Only buy CE marked fireworks from reputable and licensed shops.
- Keep fireworks in a closed, metal box.
- Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
- Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
- Never return to a firework that has not gone off, and never throw used or unused fireworks onto a bonfire.
- Never drink alcohol while lighting a bonfire or setting off fireworks.
- Always supervise children and don’t give sparklers to a child under five.
- Keep your bonfire at least 18 metres away from houses, trees and hedges. There should be a barrier around the bonfire to keep spectators five metres away. Before lighting a bonfire, check it is stable and that there are no children or animals inside.
- Only burn dry wood, never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire and think about the direction of smoke travel.
- Keep some buckets of water nearby.
- Have consideration for those around you, including notifying neighbours who may have pets or farm animals.
- Consider where fireworks and debris might fall, ensuring safety distances are provided for people to keep safe. Safety distances are provided on each firework label or package.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
