Tops Tips on how to keep safe with fireworks during events such as Bonfire Night and Diwali

• Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS7114 written on the box. Sometimes shops open for a short time before Bonfire night but these may not be the best places to buy fireworks from.
• Members of the public (over 18) can buy and set off fireworks that come under the category 1 to 3. These fireworks include those that you can use indoors, in your garden or at a display.
• Always read the packet carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you’re going to set them off.
• Sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil. They are not toys and should never be given to a child under five.
• Never put fireworks, even those which are fully spent, on the bonfire, and never dispose of them by burying them. Instead, put fully spent fireworks (not misfired or partly spent fireworks) in refuse receptacles

Setting them off;

• Only one person should be in charge of fireworks. If that’s you then make sure you take the necessary precautions. Read the instructions in daylight and ensure that you stay there until they have all been discharged.
• Make your preparations in advance, in daylight. On the night, you will need a torch, a bucket or two of water, eye protection and gloves, a bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in suitable supports and launchers if your setting off Catherine wheels or rockets.

Let your neighbours know;

• If you are planning a fireworks party, they may have pets which should be kept indoors - and let any neighbours, especially anyone elderly or with young children, know there may be some loud bangs!

Pets;

• Bonfire night can be terrifying for animals, so make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere to hide if he or she wants to and has access to this place at all times.
• You can keep their anxiety to a minimum by walking dogs during daylight hours, and of course keep cats and dogs indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off.
• Keep them calm by closing the curtains, and put music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks.
• Never punish your pets when they’re scared as this will only make things worse in the long run - comfort them or just leave them alone if you think they’ll hurt themselves.

 

As fireworks are very dangerous it is important to be very careful and special precautions will need to be taken by adults.

1. Lay out the firework while it’s standing on its bottom or stand. Adults need to make sure that there are no flammable materials or plants nearby
2. The adult will then warn people in the area that they are about to light the firework
3. Once the firework is lit the adult will make sure no one else is in the area of the firework and walk away.
4. The firework has been lit, it flies through the sky, “Whoosh”, “bang! “time to clean up. An adult will have a bucket of water nearby to store them in for the time being.
5. When the night is over it is safe to put the WET fireworks in the bin!

It can get very cold during November - Make sure you put on your Socks, hats, jumpers, coats and Scarves and enjoy with Yummy Bonfire Night Food!

 

More information on how to keep safe when using fireworks can be found on the RoSPA website.