Bonfire Night can be fun for all the family, but it can also be dangerous. Our top safety tips can help you enjoy yourself without putting yourself at risk.
Bonfire Night – also called Guy Fawkes Night – takes place every 05 November to remember the anniversary of the gunpowder plot of 1605.
It’s traditionally celebrated with bonfires and fireworks. That’s where the increased risk comes from; fireworks, sparklers, and fires can easily cause injury and damage to property. But don’t worry! There are some precautions you can take to reduce the risk of fire or injury.
This page contains practical information to help you stay safe on 05 November each year.
We recommend attending professional firework displays rather than setting off your own at home.
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.
We recommend not having a bonfire in your garden. They can easily get out of hand and cause a risk to life.
There are lots of organised bonfire events each year, with full safety precautions taking place in advance.
Professional events will have full risk assessments in place, with things like escape routes, first aid, emergency firefighting equipment to hand. Organisers also alert the local council and emergency services of the event, so that we are aware it’s happening. This difference with holding your own is that the fire can get out of hand and become very dangerous.
You can find local organised bonfires online in the lead-up to Bonfire Night.
If you must 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 surpervise 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 making malicious 999 calls, throwing projectiles at fire engines, and verbally abusing firefighters.
This behaviour is totally unacceptable and we have a zero tolerance policy on abuse of our firefighters.
Thank you to the vast majority of Lancashire residents who do not take part in this anti-social behaviour. We ask that you continue to support us by only dialling 999 in a genuine emergency.
At Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, we want you to stay safe this Bonfire Night.
While it’s always a busy evening for us, you can support us by taking the proper precautions and only calling 999 in a genuine emergency.
Remember: the safest way to enjoy the celebrations is to take your family to a professional event.
You can find more information on bonfire safety and firework safety on our website.
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