Remember, remember to celebrate safely this November

With Bonfire Night fast approaching, residents are encouraged to enjoy the sparkle, stay safe and spare a thought for their neighbours, pets and the environment.

For an evening that goes off without a nasty bang and doesn’t include the responsibility of handling fireworks, head to an organised public display. 

If you choose to celebrate at home, a little planning can help keep everyone safe:

• Only buy fireworks from licensed retailers and look for the CE or UKCA mark
• Read and follow the instructions on each firework, and keep spectators well back
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit, even if it hasn’t gone off
• Always supervise children and never give sparklers to children under five
• Light sparklers one at a time, wear gloves and keep a bucket of water nearby
• Never set off fireworks on balconies or throw them in the street or other public places 

A quick chat with your neighbours before any celebrations can make a big difference. Let them know when you plan to use fireworks so they can prepare and keep pets indoors. Keep your display short and avoid late-night surprises. 

Fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight, and New Year’s Eve, Diwali, and Chinese New Year, when it is 1am. These are the legal limits, not a target to aim for. Finishing earlier helps everyone enjoy their evening.

As well as considering safety, residents are also encouraged to make their Bonfire Night celebrations more environmentally friendly.

The smoke from garden bonfires adds to air pollution and can impact your neighbours’ health, particularly people with breathing or heart conditions. Please don’t use Bonfire Night as an excuse to burn household rubbish or garden waste.

Instead, use our garden waste collection service or take suitable waste to Townmead Road Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Finally, if you’re getting together with friends and family, bring reusable cups and plates and put any food scraps in your food waste caddy.