Residents encouraged to enjoy bonfire night safely

Medway Council is encouraging residents to enjoy fireworks safely on bonfire night.

Even though they can be bought over a shop counter, domestic fireworks are powerful explosives and burn at incredibly hot temperatures.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professionally organised event, like the free bonfire and firework display at the Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham, on Saturday, 4 November. It will be an enjoyable evening for all the family with a spectacular display of fireworks of all shapes and sounds. The Mayor of Medway will light the bonfire at 7pm and the firework display will begin at 7.30pm.

But, if you are having your own fireworks display, the council is encouraging residents to follow these tips to stay safe:
•         Only buy fireworks labelled with CE
•         Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time
•         Follow the instructions on each firework and light them at arms length, using a taper
•         Never give sparklers to children under five
•         Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
•         Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
•         Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
•         Always supervise children
•         Never put fireworks in your pocket, or throw them
•         Never go near a firework which has been lit, even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode
•         Keep your pets indoors with the curtains closed

The council is also urging people to stay safe around bonfires. Advice includes never using flammable liquids to help start a bonfire, keeping them to a manageable size, making sure there are no hazardous items inside including aerosols and fireworks and never leaving a bonfire unattended. For more safety tips visit www.kent.fire-uk.org/bonfire.

Cllr Jane Chitty, Portfolio Holder in charge of Trading Standards, said: “We hope everyone has an enjoyable, and safe, bonfire night. I would like to urge residents, who are not going to a professionally organised bonfire, and are holding their own firework display, to follow our advice and stay safe. I would also encourage any residents, who have concerns about the storage and sale of fireworks, to contact our Trading Standards team.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Service group manager of community safety, Colin King, said: “Bonfire night can be great fun for all the family but, unfortunately, many accidents are caused by improper use of fireworks and by carelessness with bonfires. We would advise people to put their safety first and opt for a professionally organised display, but if you’re planning a display ensure fireworks are purchased from reputable suppliers and follow our safety tips if you are planning a bonfire.”

If residents have any concerns over the sale or storage of fireworks they are advised to contact the Medway Trading Standards team on 01634 331191.