Bonfire Night Safety Advice

North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are appealing to people to avoid serious injury or even death from playing with fireworks and lighting bonfires during Bonfire Night celebrations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

With just a few days to go before the event, emergency services are urging the public of North Wales to be vigilant with fireworks and to preferably attend an organised display. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said, “Every year, countless people are badly injured and burnt in the run up to the bonfire season when lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks. Organised community events in North Wales definitely provide the best value for money for entertainment and also ensure that families no longer need to risk the dangers of back garden bonfire and fireworks parties. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Firework Safety Code ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.
• Don’t drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box.
• Follow the instructions on each firework.
• Light at arm’s length, using a taper.
• Stand well back.
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
• Always supervise children around fireworks.
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
• Never give sparkles to a child under five.
• Keep pets indoors.

“It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of eighteen years old. Many types of fireworks are banned from sale to the public. Throwing fireworks in a public place is also illegal – a fine of up to £5000 awaits anyone convicted.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Superintendent Jane Banham, Community Safety Team at North Wales Police, said, “Here at North Wales Police we are working closely with communities to ensure that people feel safe and supported at this time of year. Whilst the majority of people enjoy this time of year sensibly, there is a minority who are intent on causing problems and use Halloween and Bonfire Night as an excuse to commit crime and act in an anti-social way. By working with our partners and other agencies we hope to tackle these issues and make this time of year safe and enjoyable for all. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our PCSOs in each district have been organising events for local communities in order to educate people about fire safety in regards to Bonfire Night and the consequences of antisocial behaviour. We would also encourage residents to attend organised firework displays, which will be well publicised in the local press prior to November 5th.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​