Bonfire and Firework Top Safety Tips for Families
With bonfire night fast approaching please see below our top safety tips for families, to help ensure November the 5th is remembered for all the right reasons!
General Advice
- Attend an organised display whenever possible – it’s the safest option
- Supervise children at all times around fireworks, bonfires, and sparklers
- Keep pets indoors and close curtains to reduce stress from noise
Firework Safety (The Firework Code)
- Buy fireworks with the UKCA or CE mark from licensed sellers
- Only adults should handle and light fireworks
- Store fireworks in a closed box and light them one at a time at arm’s length
- Never return to a lit firework and never throw fireworks
- Do not drink alcohol if you’re responsible for fireworks
- Legal reminder: It’s illegal to set off fireworks after 11 pm (midnight on 5 Nov) and for anyone under 18 to buy or carry fireworks
- Sparklers burn at over 1,000°C – hotter than a blowtorch
- Never give sparklers to children under 5 years old
- Always wear gloves, hold at arm’s length, and put used sparklers in a bucket of water
Bonfire Safety
- Build bonfires well away from buildings, fences, and trees
- Never use petrol or paraffin to start a fire
- Check for animals or children before lighting
- Keep a bucket of water or hosepipe nearby
- Never leave a bonfire unattended and fully extinguish it before leaving.
First Aid for Burns
- Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes
- Remove clothing/jewellery near the burn (unless stuck)
- Cover with cling film or a clean cloth
- Seek medical help for serious burns
Useful resources:
Click here to access a video which highlights why it is always better to attend an organised event where there are likely to be greater safety measures in place, to ensure everyone has fun but safely. Warning: some viewers may find the content of the video upsetting.
