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Not long now until the return of the familiar sounds of crackling bonfires and the whistles of fireworks. As Bonfire Night is just around the corner, here are some top tips from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to help ensure everyone stays safe and can enjoy Bonfire Night and fireworks.
Please attend an organised event if possible. If you have a bonfire at home, make sure it is well away from buildings, vehicles, trees, hedges, fences, power lines, telecommunications equipment, and sheds. You must ensure that smoke does not cause a disturbance to roads or become a nuisance to neighbours and that flying embers do not endanger any neighbouring properties.
Remember: by law, you are only permitted to use fireworks between the hours of 6pm and 11pm on any day except on 5 November, when the curfew extends to midnight.
If you do decide to have a home fireworks display, please keep to the Firework Code and follow these safety tips:
- Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework.
- Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
- Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
- Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
- Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes that could catch alight easily and give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers. Never give sparklers to children under the age of five (5).
Sparkler safety:
- Store sparklers and other fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place.
- Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
- Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out. Remember they can stay hot a long time.
- Don’t take sparklers to public displays, it will be too crowded to use them safely.
