With organised bonfire and firework events unfortunately being cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are encouraging residents to be considerate of others when having their own bonfire and fireworks night at home.
Before deciding to have your own event at home, did you know bonfires and fireworks can:
- Distress children with learning disabilities, older people with dementia and people with post traumatic disorders?
- Distress horses, farm animals and household pets?
- Create smoke and cause air pollution in a short amount of time?
- Leave metal particles, toxins and chemicals in the air after they have burnt out?
- Cause respiratory problems and make the sufferers symptoms worse?
If you are considering having a bonfire and fireworks at home, please:
- Don’t arrange a large firework party in your garden, as only six people can meet socially outdoors. You may be fined at least £200 for breaking the rule.
- Let all your neighbours know well in advance and where possible, only light fireworks on 5 November or the two weekends either side, ensuring they are finished by 11pm.
- Consider buying low noise fireworks, only those which carry the CE safety mark and from registered sellers only.
- Don’t light sky lanterns.
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework.
- Burn dry, clean and natural materials.
- Check your bonfire before you light it because small animals such as hedgehogs may be inside.
- Don’t ever leave bonfires or fireworks unattended and make sure the fire is out before leaving it.
- Keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby.
Dispose of fireworks safely. Put them in a bucket of water overnight and then put them in your black wheeled rubbish bin or take them to your local community recycling centre.
More information can be found on our website