Avoid bonfires on November 5, plead fire chiefs

FIRE chiefs in Derbyshire are urging people across the county not to hold private bonfires when November 5 comes round.

If they do, there could be a spike in severe burns, they have warned.

With venues such as Alton Towers and Conkers in Moira, cancelling their fireworks events this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, there is concern that individuals will want to light bonfires in their own back gardens.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, events are being cancelled across the county, with organised bonfire celebrations being no exception to the restrictions being imposed to keep everyone safe.

Fire prevention group manager at Derbyshire

Fire and Rescue Service Kevin Page said: “With safety in mind, we know that Bonfire Night is time when people gather to mark the Gunpowder Plot with fireworks and a bonfire, but this year with organised events being cancelled we are concerned that more people will turn to their own gardens to host a bonfire party.

“A garden bonfire can easily get out of hand with fire spreading quickly from hedges, overhanging trees and garages to the house. Not only do these fires pose a serious risk to you, your family, your property and the public, but out of control bonfires take our crews away from other potentially lifethreatening incidents. By calling on people not to have a bonfire we are not aiming to spoil people’s fun, we are simply aware of what can and does go wrong and this year there is the potential for more garden fires than ever – so we are trying to keep everyone safe.” Ashley Martin, public health adviser for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), said: “We see hundreds of fireworkrelated injuries every year, and they literally change lives, with people receiving scarring that requires lifelong treatment. “There’s a real possibility that numbers could rise this autumn, so we’re urging everyone that’s planning their own display to follow the Firework Code, which you can find at www. rospa.com/fireworks

“Please only buy from reputable retailers, check the box carries a CE mark, and make sure you’re only buying category 2 and category 3 fireworks. As even some of these will be too powerful for your back garden please check the distance requirements on the instructions.

“When storing them at home, make sure to keep them out of the reach of children.”

A garden bonfire can easily get out of hand with fire spreading quickly from hedges to the house. Kevin Page