The safest way to have fun on bonfire night is to attend an event organised by your local council. Bonfires and fireworks can be very dangerous in the wrong hands, or in the hands of people who haven’t taken the necessary precautions.
If you’re determined to enjoy Bonfire Night in your own garden, there are a few safety tips you need to know about.
Don’t overdo things
A few fireworks can cause a great deal of excitement amongst your family and friends. However, if you have too many, the novelty will eventually wear off, and people will begin to get bored. When this happens, people often forget about safety — and that’s when accidents can occur. Try to buy enough fireworks for a 15-minute display, otherwise you run the risk of allowing complacency to set in.
Talk to children in advance
If you have young children, it’s a good idea to talk to them in advance about what to expect. Explain to them that there will be loud bangs and bright flashes in the sky. It might be a good idea to give them a torch, so they can find their way around in the dark — and to stop them getting scared. And if young children are attending, the earlier you start things the better.
Designate one person to manage the fireworks
In order to keep track of where all your fireworks are, make sure only one person has access to them. This person should also be the one lighting each firework. Always set fireworks off at least five metres away from spectators, and wear a head torch to ensure both your hands are free.
Follow the safety instructions
Before you start setting off your fireworks, make sure you have ready the safety and usage instructions first. Only buy fireworks with the BS 7114 kite mark, and always use the lighting device included. Before your display begins, transfer your fireworks to a metal container — just in case a stray ember reaches it.
Look after children
Once the fireworks begin, make sure all young children are supervised by an adult. Never give sparklers to children under the age of five, and make sure the children who are old enough to have them wear gloves. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on children for signs of distress, as this can be a very intimidating experience for those who are experiencing it for the first time.
Be responsible
Putting on a safe and happy Bonfire Night celebration is mostly about common sense. Don’t drink alcohol until after you’ve launched your last firework. Don’t throw fireworks, put them in your pockets or set them off near trees or fences. And never return to a firework that hasn’t gone off after being lit — just leave it there until the morning.
Measure your garden
The temptation among many parents eager to impress their children is to buy the largest, most powerful fireworks in the shop. However, all fireworks come with a minimum clearance distance. If your garden is only 15 metres wide, buying fireworks that require a clearance distance of 30 metres could put both spectators and your home in harm’s way. Measure your garden, and buy the appropriate fireworks.
Leave the bonfire to the professionals
While building a bonfire in your own garden might sound like an exciting thing to do with your children, things can get out of hand unless you know what you’re doing. Why run the risk of causing a major fire when you can attend an organised event in an appropriate location? Even the smallest of embers can float into the air and land on fences, outhouses, foliage and clothing, so leave the bonfires to the professionals.
With just a little planning, the necessary safety precautions and some common sense, you can host a happy, safe and exciting Bonfire Night celebration at home.
