Wednesday 5 November 2014

Stay Safe this Bonfire Night....

If you're hosting a Bonfire Night party or just having family fireworks please do think about safety beforehand so that it's a memorable night for all the right reasons....


A simple sparkler reaches a temperature of up to 2,000°C - over 15 times the boiling point of water and should be handled with care.

Store sparklers and other fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place.
Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand.
Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out.
Don't take sparklers to public displays...It will be too crowded to use them safely.

Sparkler Safety for Children 

Never give sparklers to the under 5s - they will not understand how to use them safely.
Always supervise children using sparklers.
Give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers.
Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes - they may catch light.
Show children how to hold sparklers - away from their body and at arm's length.
Teach children not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run while holding them. 



Before your firework display.

Check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of the garden and conform to British Standards (BS 7114; 1988)
Ensure your display area is free from hazards.
Do not tamper with fireworks.
Read the instructions in daylight.
Warn neighbours, especially the elderly and those with animals, about your display.
One person - clearly identified - should be responsible for fireworks.


Safety during the firework display.

Light fireworks at arm's length with a taper
Stand well back.
Never go back to a lit firework.
Keep children under control.
Never put a firework in your pocket - it is stupid and dangerous.
Throwing a firework is stupid and dangerous and illegal: it's a criminal offence to do so in a street or other public place, with a maximum penalty of a £5000 fine.



Do you really need a bonfire?  It is much better to manage without one. If you must have a bonfire, ensure you follow these points:

Organise it properly.

Should be at least 18 metres (60 feet) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds.
Before lighting, check for animals and children
Use domestic firelighters.
Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids.
Never put used fireworks, aerosols, foam-filled furniture, batteries, tins of paint or tyres on a bonfire.



 Protect your pet when fireworks are around by following the RSPCA's animal-friendly firework code.

Dogs bonfire night safety

Exercise your dog during the day.
Never walk your dog while fireworks are being let off.
As with cats, keep your dog indoors, close the curtains and play music or turn on the television to drown out the noise.
Let your dog hide if it wants to take refuge under furniture or in a corner.
Make sure your dog is wearing a collar and tag and is microchipped in case it bolts and becomes lost.
Cat Safety - Bonfires and Fireworks.

Cats bonfire night safety.

Keep your cat indoors.
Close all windows and curtains and switch on music or the television to drown out the noise.
Leave your cat to take refuge in a corner if it wishes. Do not try to tempt it out as this could cause more stress.
Make sure your cat is microchipped to ensure it can be returned to you if it escapes and becomes lost.


3 comments :

  1. We always go to arranged Fireworks Displays - Alton Towers is great. Their display is this weekend and we're taking the boys. It gets very busy but the show is fantastic and there's no sparklers in sight. Hot food, drinks and a great time is had by all and it's safe. Smiles all round!
    Great post Kim.

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    Replies
    1. Have a great time! It sounds like a lot of fun!
      Thank you x

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  2. Really helpful information there, thank you for sharing it! x

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