This year firefighters are strongly encouraging people to attend organised public displays wherever possible. These events are professionally managed, adhere to safety standards, and offer a safer alternative to home celebrations. However, if you do choose to mark Bonfire Night at home, it’s vital to follow key safety guidance to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community:
- Always buy fireworks that are CE marked and from registered sellers only and carefully read and understand the instructions on each firework or sparkler before use.
- Stand well back and keep pets and kids away when you light a firework and never return to a lit firework, even if it doesn’t ignite immediately.
- Store your fireworks and sparklers safely.
- Wear gloves when holding sparklers.
- Never throw fireworks or put fireworks in your pocket.
- Think carefully about where you place your bonfire. Position your bonfire away from structures and flammable materials. Make sure you have access to water close by.
- Stand well back and keep pets and children away from bonfires.
- Never burn hazardous materials or use flammable liquids to light a bonfire.
- Never light fireworks near a bonfire.
Assistant District Commander and Bonfire Lead at WYFRS Imran Ali says “We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night, but safety must come first. A few simple precautions can prevent serious injuries and protect our emergency services from avoidable callouts.
“In the first instance, we’d always recommend going to an organised display. However, if you are celebrating at home, please only buy fireworks that are CE marked, as fake fireworks can be very dangerous. Don’t go near a firework that has been lit – even if it hasn’t ‘gone off’, it could still explode. Be really careful with bonfires and fireworks around kids and pets – and never light fireworks near a bonfire.
“We work all year round with our communities to educate them around fire safety and hope that this will help everyone celebrate safely. Let’s make this Bonfire Night one to remember for the right reasons.”
Assistant Chief Constable Damien Miller, Gold Commander for West Yorkshire Police, said “We want everyone to enjoy their bonfire celebrations safely and responsibly, and we will have a visible policing presence to provide reassurance to our communities.
“As in previous years, we are working with our partners to take action against anyone selling fireworks illegally in the run-up to Bonfire Night, and we’ve been working with schools and communities to reduce antisocial behaviour.
“Bonfire Night is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year for the emergency services and I would ask the public to consider this when calling us. Please use our online options where possible and only use 999 to report emergencies, or where a crime is in progress.”
For more advice on how to celebrate safely click HERE.