Top tips to have a bangin’ bonfire night
We can’t believe bonfire night is nearly here again, this year is going so quick! If you’re planning to attend an organised bonfire and fireworks event or hosting your own at home here are some top tips to make sure you and your family have a safe and enjoyable time.
1. Be respectful of your neighbours
If you are planning your own fireworks display, please be respectful of your neighbours by letting them know of your plans particularly those with pets.
Animals can suffer psychological distress but may also cause themselves injuries, sometimes very serious ones, or get lost as they attempt to run or hide from the noise.
It’s important to note that 11pm is the legal cut off time for setting off fireworks at any time of year. This however is extended to midnight for Bonfire Night (5th November). Furthermore 1am for New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. It is against the law to let off fireworks anywhere after these times.
2. Purchase fireworks and sparklers from registered sellers
If you’re buying fireworks and sparklers, you can only purchase these from registered sellers for private use between specific dates.
For bonfire night, fireworks can be bought between 10 October and 10 November. Buying them from unreputable and unlicenced retailers is not only illegal but also doesn’t guarantee the safety of the fireworks or that they comply with current safety standards.
3. Follow the firework safety code
• Always keep fireworks in a closed box.
• Take them out one at a time and close the box.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket.
• Avoid setting fireworks off late at night, particularly if it is a school-night.
• Avoid setting off fireworks where livestock are kept close by
• Ensure your pets are safe.
• Carefully follow the instructions on each firework.
• Never go back to a lit firework unless the instructions advise otherwise.
• Never throw fireworks; it is dangerous.
• Light fireworks one at a time, at the end of the fuse, and at arm’s length.
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear suitable gloves, even when lighting them.
• Never give sparklers to a child under the age of 5.
• Never throw spent fireworks on a bonfire.
4. Dispose of fireworks and sparklers correctly
Make sure that any fireworks have had chance to cool down before putting them into your black bin for disposal. If you’re using sparklers a top tip is to put them in a bucket of water before putting them in the bin!
If your bin collection date falls around bonfire night, we would suggest remembering to take your bin back onto your property if it’s not your collection day.
5. Report antisocial behaviour or noise pollution
If noise from fireworks use becomes a regular occurrence from a single property either before or after 11pm you can report this to the council. Please make a record of the incidents including the location and where possible film footage of the fireworks and email pollution@kirklees.gov.uk.
However, setting off fireworks in any public place is a criminal offence. This includes all council land unless appropriate council permission is given in advance. As well as National Trust land such as Marsden Moor and Yorkshire Water Land. Any live flame in these locations can cause devastating fires with noise from fireworks also causing significant disturbance and distress to wildlife.
Any anti-social behaviour of this kind is the responsibility of the police and should be reported to them on 101 or via their website: https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/form/report-anti-social-behaviour
Let’s all have a happy and safe bonfire night.
Further information
For more safety tips on how to have a bangin’ bonfire this year visit West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue- https://www.westyorksfire.gov.uk/bonfire-safety