Bonfire Night Safety – Our Top Tips
Bonfire Night Safety – Our Top TipsBonfire Night is a family favourite in the UK and a long-held tradition across the country. Families and communities come together to enjoy a night of colourful displays and warm crackling bonfires as the nights get colder.
However, while Bonfire Night is full of excitement for younger children, safety should always be a priority. So, if you’re heading to your local display or putting on a show in the back garden, this article has some guidance and tips to help keep your kids safe.
How to stay safe this Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night Safety Tips
Bonfire Night can be one of the most exciting events of the year for younger children and all the family, but it is extremely important to consider safety tips before you and your little ones head out to enjoy the annual displays. Here are some simple but effective bonfire safety tips.
Dress for the Weather
As well as keeping your children warm as the temperatures drop this winter, it is important to check that your child is wearing snug-fitting clothes made from non-flammable fabrics. We recommend avoiding any costumes or outfits with loose hanging fabrics that could easily catch fire, especially if children are standing near the bonfire.
Supervise your Children
Whilst your kids may want to run off with friends and enjoy themselves, we recommend keeping them close at all times, especially if you are attending a public event. If you are hosting your annual Bonfire Night celebrations at home, make sure you put up a clear boundary between where the children are playing and where the fireworks will be set off. Using high-visibility clothing such as a jacket or an armband is a great way to keep track of your little ones as they run around and play.
Teach your Kids about Firework Safety
Before heading out this year, consider teaching your kids about the importance of staying safe on Bonfire Night. Remind them that fireworks are not toys and that they should watch them from a safe distance. You can even make this a fun lesson for them and introduce some type of game or rhyme to make sure that they remember the do’s and don’t of fireworks and bonfire safety.
What are the Rules for Bonfire Night in the UK?
Now, there aren’t just rules for children to follow during Bonfire Night, there are also rules and regulations surrounding the occasion that parents and other adults need to follow. These rules aren’t there to ruin everyone’s fun but they help everyone to enjoy spectacular fireworks displays and bonfires without unnecessary risk.
Fireworks Curfew
UK law states that fireworks are only allowed to be set off between 7am and 11pm. However, on Bonfire Night, this curfew is extended to midnight.
Age Restrictions
In the UK, fireworks can only be purchased and handled by people aged 18 or above. It is extremely important to remember that children, despite how responsible and mature they may seem, are never allowed to light or handle fireworks.
Firework Categories in the UK
In the UK, fireworks are categorised into different types. For domestic use, parents are advised to stick to Category 2 and 3 fireworks which are specifically designed for garden displays. Category 4 fireworks are for professional use only and are not available to members of the general public.
We recommend always checking the labels before purchasing your fireworks to ensure they comply with the rules and regulations. It is also important to check they comply with UK safety standards and carry the CE or UKCA mark.
Noise Limits
To protect wildlife and prevent undue stress to pets, there are noise limits on fireworks in the UK. The maximum noise level for fireworks is 120 decibels, which is the same as an ambulance siren or an aeroplane take-off.
What Safety Precautions Need to be Followed?
While fireworks displays can be exciting to watch, they also pose a massive safety risk. Following safety precautions will help you enjoy Bonfire Night without accidents or a trip to A&E.
Follow the Instructions
In the UK, all fireworks come with a set of instructions which should be read carefully before being set off. Once you have read the instructions, set up your fireworks in an open space away from any buildings, trees or fences. It is also important that the fireworks are securely planted in the ground.
Light Safely
When lighting your fireworks, we recommend always using a long-handled lighter, and to keep your face and body turned away from the fireworks. It is also advised that only one firework be lit at a time and then once lit, you should retreat to a safe distance as quickly as possible. Make sure you never approach a firework once it has been lit, even if it hasn’t gone off immediately. It could still be live and dangerous.
Keep Water Nearby
In case of an emergency, make sure that there is always a bucket of water nearby. You can also use sand or a fire extinguisher should you need to. After your thrilling fireworks display finishes, pour some water over the fireworks to ensure they’re fully extinguished before throwing them away.
Handle Sparklers with Care
A family favourite for people of all ages, sparklers are one of the highlights of the Bonfire Night festivities. However, it is important to remember that sparklers burn at extremely high temperatures and can cause serious burns if not handled correctly. Therefore, we recommend that you always supervise children while they are holding their sparklers, make sure that they are wearing gloves and are holding the sparklers at arm’s length. When the sparklers have gone out, safely place them in a bucket of cold water and never throw them straight onto the ground.
Safety Guidance for Bonfires
Although many people would consider the spectacular fireworks displays as the main attraction to Bonfire Night, a true Bonfire Night would not be complete without a crackling bonfire and scarecrows. So, we have put together some of our top tips to make sure that you can enjoy them safely this year.
Pick the Right Spot
If you are planning on getting out in the garden and building your own bonfire this year, make sure to choose a location that is well away from buildings and trees. It is recommended that your bonfire be at least 18 metres away from any flammable materials or buildings.
Keep it Controlled
While the idea of a big bonfire sounds fun, it can be extremely dangerous. A towering bonfire can become difficult to control and even harder to extinguish, so it is important to keep it a manageable size to reduce the risk of fire spreading and creating lots of smoke.
Never Leave your Bonfire Unattended
Once the bonfire is lit, never leave it unattended. Children should be kept at a safe distance at all times and someone should always keep an eye on the bonfire. Once you have finished your Bonfire Night celebrations, ensure that the bonfire is completely put out by pouring water over the embers. Before your leave the bonfire unattended, you should make sure that there is no heat left.
While this may seem like a lot of rules just for one night, ensuring the safety of friends and family should always be a top priority. Bonfire Night can be a memorable, enjoyable and safe experience for all the family.
Equipped with essential bonfire safety advice, the legal rules around hosting firework celebrations and how to manage a bonfire, this Bonfire Night will be a fun and safe experience to remember as a family for celebrations to come. So, grab your hats, gloves and scarves and get ready to enjoy the crackling bonfires and incredible displays this November!
