Put safety first and help our firefighters
South Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Fire and Rescue are reminding people to put safety first during fireworks season.
Around bonfire night, firefighters attend an average of 40 per cent more incidents than during the rest of October and November.
And on November 5 itself, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) attend four times as many call outs as on any other night – taking them away from other incidents with potentially tragic consequences.
SFRS Area Manager Alan Fairbairn, the senior officer for South Lanarkshire, said: “Everyone has their part to play in protecting our communities and preventing tragedy.
“Having to attend an unsafe bonfire makes a crew unavailable if a real emergency happens, meaning others would have to be sent from further away.
“If someone is trapped in a house fire or after a collision on the roads it’s vital firefighters can get to them as quickly as possible, so we want the public to help ensure they aren’t tied-up at needless incidents.
“By alerting the council to any build-ups of bonfire materials, people can help them act to prevent illegal and unsafe bonfires.
“We want people to have a great time without risking tragedy or horrific injuries, so we’re asking anyone who is thinking of holding their own bonfire or fireworks display to attend an organised event instead.”
Unofficial bonfires represent a far greater risk of accidents and injuries than organised firework displays; they can cause damage to property and are often a magnet for anti social behaviour including deliberate fire-raising. South Lanarkshire Council work closely with the fire service and partner agencies to raise awareness of the risks and dangers associated with bonfires and fireworks.
A dedicated bonfire‘hit squad’is assigned to each of the four areas that make up South Lanarkshire to safely dismantle and remove unauthorised fires built on council land.
They will be assisted again this year by the community wardens’mobile CCTV van which will be out and about helping spot potentially dangerous bonfires early enough to have them removed.
Ian Guild, the council’s grounds services manager, said:“to support the initiative, members of the public who have concerns over bonfires in their community are asked during office hours to ring 0303 123 1020 (Monday to Thursday 8.45am – 4.45pm and Friday 8.45am – 4.15pm) or outwith these hours to contact our 24-hour hotline number on 0800 242024.
“By choosing to attend only well organised, official bonfire events you can enjoy the bonfires and fireworks of Guy Fawkes Night and keep people, property and vital resources safe.”