If you want to enjoy yourself this Bonfire Night, the advice from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is to attend one of the many organised events in the county. But if you do want to host your own, they’ve prepared some tips to make sure you stay safe:
Make sure your fireworks are CE marked
- Only allow adults to handle fireworks
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary
- Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit
- For an emergency keep buckets of water or the garden hose close by
- Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
- Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
- Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving
- Keep children under supervision when using sparklers
- Prepare a bucket of sand to dispose of used sparklers
- Never buy fireworks from unlicensed sellers
- Pour water on the embers before leaving
You can find a list of organised events that are happening throughout Gloucestershire on the Fire Service website