Helping you put on a positive display this bonfire night.

Bonfire night is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the British calendar with an estimated total expenditure of £500 million to back up its popularity. Getting caught up in the excitement is easily done but unfortunately so is overlooking some basic tips to help keep you and your family safe.

At Bells Down Training, we have put together some useful offerings to help protect you, your home and family and still appreciate those fireworks with more peace of mind.

 

Building your bonfire.

This sounds like the easy part, right? In fact, even building the bonfire with no fire involved can be fraught with underestimated hazards and risks you really should consider. The first point sounds obvious, but the location of your bonfire is crucial, not enough thought is given to the amount of radiant heat given off by a bonfire.

A bonfire of approximately 1m3 should have a minimum clearance free from any sheds, fences, outbuildings and property of at least 5m, that also applies vertically above the fire. Fire pits used as bonfires can be a safer and easier alternative just remember they should not be used on either composite or wooden decking.

Do not be tempted to use the opportunity of having a fire to burn unwanted household items, particularly furniture like sofas or mattresses. These items produce incredible amounts of heat energy when alight, they also give off harmful carcinogens in their fumes which pollute the environment and are toxic.

Once you have selected a safe location for your fire, constructed of clean burning materials ensure you have checked the weather forecast prior to lighting it as windy conditions can create exceptional circumstances for fire spread to mitigate any chance of your bonfire getting out of hand always have a charged (turned on) hose pipe ready to use for cooling down surfaces that might be absorbing too much heat. REMEMBER – STAY THE SAFE SIDE OF THE FIRE. DON'T LET THE FIRE GET INBETWEEN YOU AND A PLACE OF SAFETY.

If you begin to feel like your bonfire is getting beyond your control call 999 and request the fire service. Retreat to a place of safety and let the trained, professional firefighters deal with it.

 

Fireworks.

Fireworks are perhaps one of the most underestimated causes of serious injuries in the UK. Common injuries affect hands, eyes and the head and are typically caused by burns which in the most serious of cases can be lifechanging.

Make sure you understand the gold standard of storing, lighting and appreciating fireworks by checking out our points below.

  • Storing – Once you have purchased your CE marked fireworks from a licensed retailer store them safely in a sealed container away from sources of ignition or heat and out of reach of children.
  • Lighting – Well before lighting the first firework choose a suitable place to set your fireworks off from usually as far away from property, trees and your spectators as possible. Wear gloves to protect your hands and read the instructions of each firework carefully. Once you have lit the fuse retreat to a safe distance and await the firework launching. DO NOT RETURN TO A LIT FIREWORK IF IT FAILS TO LAUNCH.
  • Admiring – Keep children at a safe distance. A common firework related injury is simply falling debris landing on heads or entering eyes. When we admire fireworks, we're typically gazing up at the sky so by staying as far away as possible you are reducing the risk of being struck by falling debris or hot embers.

 

Finally.

All of our points if properly adhered to will go a long way to enhancing the safety and peace of mind when hosting your bonfire night festivities but bear in mind that across the country there will be thousands of public displays which offer great fireworks and food and only require admission fees and you wrapping up warm. 

To learn more about fire safety and to book yourself on one of our fire safety courses delivered by serving and former firefighters check out bellsdowntraining.co.uk