Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, takes place on 5 November each year to mark the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Traditionally celebrated with bonfires and fireworks, it can also bring an increased risk of fires, burns and other injuries. We recommend attending a professional firework display rather than setting off fireworks at home. If you do celebrate at home, there are simple precautions you can take to help keep you, your family and your property safe.
Are you a KS3, KS4 and KS5 teacher, or parent/carer of a Home Educated Learner? We are delivering our Bright Sparx Bonfire and Fireworks education package this Autumn (12-16 Oct 2026 inc.) live on-line via MS Teams.
These fifteen minute sessions are completely free and designed to help young people stay safe around fire and fireworks this Bonfire Night.
The sessions are for the young people of Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. Secondary schools, colleges, alternative education settings and those supporting home educated learners, are invited to choose the date and time that suits them best and register using the links below.
Date | Time | Register |
Monday 12th October, 2026. | 09:00 | |
Tuesday 13th October, 2026 | 08:55 | |
Wednesday 14th October, 2026 | 08:50 | |
Wednesday 14th October, 2026 | 13:45 | |
Thursday 15th October, 2026 | 08:45 | |
Friday 16th October, 2026 | 08:40 |
Please note:
Each session has its own link to register, so ensure that you have selected your chosen date.
More than one class/year group can join at the same time.
Each teacher/lead adult will need to register individually to be able to attend the session as the link cannot be shared with others.
When making each booking we ask that you state which key stage the students are from and approximately how many will be involved.
On the day please dial-in 10 mins beforehand as the session will start at the time stated.
Please note, each registration is for each individual day. If you wish to join on multiple days, you will need to register for each date separately.
Any questions?
Please e-mail - preventionsupport@lancsfirerescue.org.uk
For many people, fireworks form a key element in celebrating Bonfire Night. Watching a firework display can be exciting and beautiful and we want you to enjoy them safely.
However, we know that many people purchase fireworks every year. It’s vital you remember that they contain explosives and can cause a lot of harm if not stored and used correctly.
Follow these safety tips to safeguard yourself and your loved ones around fireworks:
Only buy products displaying the official CE mark.
Buy only from reputable retailers.
Never drink alcohol when handling fireworks.
Store them in their original packaging with the lid closed.
Read the instructions and follow them to the letter.
Light them at arm’s length using a taper to protect yourself.
Stand well back when they are lit.
Never return to a lit firework until it has gone off.
Supervise children and keep all pets indoors.
Never set off fireworks after 11pm – this is against the law.
If you are planning to set fireworks off, it’s courteous to tell your neighbours beforehand. This can help alert people so they can prepare themselves for the noise and keep nervous pets indoors.
It’s not just pet owners who will benefit from being alerted in advance. People who have served in the Armed Forces can often find loud bangs stressful.
You could also consider buying silent or low noise fireworks – these are a great alternative which allow people to enjoy the visual experience of fireworks whilst also being considerate of animals, the elderly, or those who are sensitive to loud noises.
Organised events have safety measures in place, including risk assessments, designated escape routes, first aid and emergency firefighting equipment. Event organisers also notify the local council and emergency services. These measures help reduce the risks associated with large bonfires and fireworks.
You can find local organised bonfires online in the lead-up to Bonfire Night.
If you have a bonfire, please follow these tips:
Tell your neighbours about your plans. This can help to stop unnecessary 999 calls.
Don’t build it too far in advance – leaving material lying around can encourage antisocial behaviour.
Keep the fire well away from fences and sheds.
Do not build the fire under any trees or bushes.
Check there are no children or animals hiding in the bonfire before you light it.
Place a barrier around the fire and keep everyone at least 5m away when it’s lit.
Only burn untreated wood and not any rubbish or other items.
Do not use accelerants such as petrol to light the fire.
Keep a bucket of water nearby just in case.
If the fire gets out of hand, call 999 and ask for the fire service straight away.
Sparklers are very popular and can be great fun for the whole family. But they do burn at very high temperatures and can easily cause injuries if not used properly.
If you want to give sparklers to children, give them only one at a time and always supervise them.
Consider sticking the sparkler into a carrot and asking the child to hold the carrot instead. This reduces the risk of them burning their hands when the sparkler burns down.
Always extinguish each sparkler in a bucket of water when you’re done.
In recent years, several of our crews have sadly been victims of anti-social behaviour on Bonfire Night. This has included malicious 999 calls, projectiles being thrown at fire engines and verbal abuse directed at firefighters.
This behaviour is totally unacceptable. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of our firefighters.
Thank you to the vast majority of Lancashire residents who do not take part in this behaviour. Please continue to support us by only dialling 999 when there is a genuine emergency.
At Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, we want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely.
The safest way to enjoy the celebrations is to attend a professional, organised event. If you do celebrate at home, follow our safety advice and help us keep everyone safe by only calling 999 in a genuine emergency.
You can find more information on bonfire safety and firework safety on our website.
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