Communities urged to enjoy Halloween and Bonfire Night safely this autumn

We are urging residents to celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night safely and responsibly this autumn.

Lots of people will be going out and celebrating, and we're not here to spoil the fun, but we're asking everyone to do their bit in making sure we can limit the chances of accidents happening.

Head of Prevent, Protect and Partnerships, Ian Read, said: “The coming weeks can be extremely busy for our firefighters, as with fireworks and candles come an increased risk of fire.

“This Halloween, I would urge parents to check children’s costumes, as some can be extremely flammable. Always look for a CE mark, which shows that the manufacturer guarantees the products safety. I would also remind people that it is always safer to use LED lights rather than candles inside pumpkins, as naked flames can easily spread to clothing.

“On Bonfire Night, I would urge people to attend a professionally organised display, rather than using fireworks at home because we know they are much safer, and the risk of fire is far less.

“This summer, we experienced a huge increase in outdoor fires, so we’re encouraging everyone who does choose to use fireworks at home to do so responsibly and safely.”

If you are hosting or attending a private display, we strongly recommend that you:

• Store fireworks in a locked and secure container. This needs to be out of reach of children and not kept by flammable materials or heating devices
• Avoid having a display in your garden. These can escalate rapidly and spread to nearby hedges, trees and buildings – including your home. If you decide to have one, follow the advice on our website
• Do not consume alcohol if you are responsible for a display or for keeping people safe on Bonfire Night
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode.

 More information including The Firework Code can be found here: Bonfire night safety.