Seasonal Community Safety Advice
Fireworks– Celebrate Safely
Every year, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service responds to emergency incidents across the county associated with firework misuse and out of control celebration bonfires. Almost all of these emergencies are preventable.
- Read the latest press release from Police, warning of the dangers of Bonfire Night
- Read press release from Hampshire Police - Lock up your homes this Bonfire Night
Watch Manager Paul Christopher of the Community Fire Safety Department at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service says: “Every fire crew sent to deal with a preventable firework related incident is one less fire crew available to deal with a real emergency where lives may be at risk.
“Fireworks are great entertainment. Handled correctly and used in accordance with the instructions, everyone can enjoy a safe firework celebration. The rules are very simple - follow the firework code and risks of injuries and accidents are greatly reduced. Better still, avoid using fireworks at home and visit your local public display,” he added.
Making Hampshire Safer is the main aim of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, who offer the following reminders to help you enjoy a safe and happy fireworks celebration.
ALWAYS FOLLOW THE FIREWORK CODE
When buying fireworks, make sure they comply with BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use ‘Indoor, Garden or Display.’ Fireworks complying with the BS 7114 have recommended safe distances for viewing them and have strict times for how long the fuse will burn to enable people to move out of the way.
- Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
- Use them one at a time, replacing the lid immediately
- NEVER put fireworks in your pocket
- Read the instructions carefully, using a torch or hand lamp, NEVER use a naked flame
- Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter
- Stand well back and NEVER return to a firework after it has been lit, it could explode in your face
- Ensure that ALL children with fireworks are well supervised
- NEVER throw fireworks
- Keep all pets and animals indoors
- Take care of sparklers, wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water when they are finished
REMEMBER!
It is an offence, punishable by fine, for anyone under the age of 18 to be in possession of a firework (other than a sparkler) in a public place. A public place is anywhere other than your back garden, and includes streets, parks and playgrounds - in fact any place members of the public have access to.
It is illegal for shopkeepers to break open retail packets of fireworks and sell them individually; this is because the instructions are printed on the packet and not on the individual fireworks.
Pets get very frightened on fireworks night, so keep all your pets indoors and close all the curtains to make things calmer. Remember it’s not just your own fireworks that cause distress, so you may have to have your pets indoors on several nights when other displays are taking place.
Watch Manager Paul Christopher concludes: “Hampshire fire crews respond to hundreds of calls during the firework and bonfire season, most of which are preventable incidents. Every year tragedies are caused by fireworks and we want to stop all of the avoidable accidents as part of our mission of ‘Making Hampshire Safer.’ Following the simple firework safety code can help reduce the number of accidents and injuries, so I would ask anyone handling fireworks to ensure that they put safety at the top of their agenda.”
Everyone at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service wishes you a happy, safe and enjoyable firework celebration.
For further information on firework safety, simply visit the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service website at www.hantsfire.gov.uk or contact the Community Fire Safety Team on 023 8062 6809.
Information provided by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services.
