Have fun but stay safe on Bonfire Night

Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have come together to issue a joint community message across our region encouraging those celebrating Guy Fawkes Night to remember that fireworks are explosives and should be respected.

Each year both services receive reports and are called out to deal with children and adults being injured by fireworks across our region. In a joint message from both Community Safety Teams they would like everyone to just stop and think for a moment before handling fireworks:

Police and Fire Liaison Officer, Sergeant Dave Macfadden said: “Remember! Remember! Each year, children and adults are injured as a result of fireworks and sparklers. Sparklers can reach temperatures 15 times hotter than that of boiling water and 5 times hotter than cooking oil. Anyone deciding to handle sparklers should do so with extreme care.”

Police and Fire service tips for staying safe

Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
Never throw used fireworks, paraffin or petrol, on a bonfire.
Take care around bonfires, especially keeping clothing away from naked flames.
Make sure bonfires are out and surroundings are safe before leaving.
Misfired or partly used fireworks should be soaked in a container of water and disposed of in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions

If you are putting on your own display

Only one person should be responsible for letting off fireworks.
Don’t drink alcohol if you are setting off fireworks.
Light fireworks at arm’s length, using a taper.
Make sure everyone stands well back.
Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
Direct any rocket fireworks well away from people.
NEVER go back to a firework that has been lit even if it has not gone off it could still explode.

Sgt Macfadden said: “Only buy fireworks marked with BS 7114 or with a CE mark from a reputable seller. This shows that the firework meets British or European Safety standards. Ideally, we would recommend attending an organised event rather than using your own fireworks at home.”

One final message from the Community Safety Teams is this: Please respect your neighbours and your own communities. On Bonfire Night, 5th November, you can let off fireworks until midnight. On New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, until 1am.

It is an offence to let off Fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am on any other day.