6 ways to stay safe on Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night is exciting for most who enjoy spending the evening admiring a firework display and sparklers can be super fun. There is always somewhere to go and watch fireworks in your area too and even if you don’t go to watch a specific display, you can normally see some from your window.

Typically, your local council’s website will advertise public displays that are either free or require a fee to watch the display. Please bear in mind Bonfire Night is the busiest night for emergency services so it is important we all do our bit to minimise risks and stay safe.

Below are 5 ways we suggest you can stay safe on Bonfire Night and what you can do to minimise risks.

1.Attend a Public Display

It is advised to go to an organised public display if you are going to watch fireworks. Fire and Rescue Services say it’s safer to attend an organised fire display run by experts. Make sure you stand well back when watching bonfires and fireworks.

Not only are these displays impressive, but they are better for the environment too. Fireworks can release chemicals and smoke into the air that can stay around for a while after Bonfire Night. Big displays cause less harm to the environment than lots of smaller displays in people’s gardens and are generally more entertaining, too.

2. Wear Gloves for Sparklers

One of the most popular things to do on Bonfire Night is to light a sparkler. They’re definitely fun to wave around, but they can reach very high temperatures. This means they can be dangerous if they aren’t handled correctly. Always make sure to light the sparkler for the kids and make sure they keep them at arms legnth. Remember to always wear gloves when holding a sparkler and when it’s finished put it in a bucket of sand or water.

3. Protect the pets

Make sure pets are properly protected as it can be a distressing night for cats and dogs alike. It’s important to keep our furry (and non-furry) friends safe on Bonfire Night too. Animal charities such as the PDSA say that the loud bangs and bright lights of fireworks can make animals anxious. Many dogs are scared of fireworks and the loud noises they make. Avoid walking them at night on or around the 5 November and close your windows and curtains.

You can read more on how to look after your pets if they’re scared of fireworks.

4. Be mindful of those who are sensitive to loud noises

The loud noises of Fireworks going off can be triggering to those with disorders such as Autism or PTSD and there are ways you can protect yourself if you find it triggering or to support others. Use headphones muffle the sound of the bangs, or plan to spend the evening at the cinema. Playing music in the house is a good way to overlap the sound of the bangs too.

Blind people and those with epilepsy may also find the flashing lights distressing and cause a fit so ensure you are mindful of these people in your area before you consider setting off your own fireworks. If you are at a public display, be aware of those around you and help anyone in need.

5. Check the area before you light a bonfire

The branches and leaves used to make bonfires can often look like appealing places to sleep for small animals like hedgehogs. Be sure to check your bonfire before you light it to help avoid any animals being in the pile.

Also make sure you follow the domestic bonfire rules before lighting a fire. You must make sure that the smoke from your bonfire doesn’t blow across a road and cause danger to the traffic on it. Make sure you don’t burn anything that could cause pollution or harm to public health. That rules out burning anything like plastic, rubber, old engine oil, and anything else that might produce poisonous fumes. Burning stuff like this won’t just harm your health and that of anyone else around you, it is also likely to be a criminal offence.

Definitely tell your neighbours what you are planning to do so they can close their windows and take their washing off the line. It is just the right thing to do.

6. Clean up your rubbish

On Bonfire Night, we often eat nice food outside from a vendor while watching colourful displays in places like parks.

Keep hold of any rubbish and packaging you have until you can find a suitable bin to put it in, in order to keep these spaces clean!

Avoid throwing rubbish onto bonfires and supervise your children to make sure they aren’t putting their rubbish on bonfires either.

Have fun, stay safe and look out for each other. Read more about safety and risk prevention on Bonfire Night here.

____________

Talbot Jones Ltd is a family-run Chartered Insurance Broker specialising in Third Sector and Professional risks. Get in touch for free insurance advice, review or quotation.

Talbot Jones Ltd incorporates *March Insurance Services*, a Chartered Insurance Broker specialising in Agricultural and Hospitality Risks.