Enjoy organised displays this fireworks season

As firework season approaches and residents look to enjoy the festivities during the school holidays, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding everyone to stay safe and attend an organised fireworks display.

Firefighters across the county are often called to incidents this time of year involving out of control bonfires and fireworks, which can be easily avoided by taking a few simple precautions.

Station Commander Gareth Boyd, community risk manager, said: “Bonfire Night is a very popular fixture in the calendar and can be plenty of fun for all of the family to enjoy. There are however potential hazards to avoid to help keep you and your family safe.

“We would always recommend attended an organised fireworks display rather than hosting your own. There are many across the county that people can enjoy safely. If however you do plan to have a display in your own garden, we urge you to follow some simple firework and bonfire safety tips to help ensure you are staying safe.”

A map showing the details and locations of displays around the county can be found in the Community Safety section of the Service’s website.

The Service also urges people to think twice about having their own bonfire.

Gareth continued: “Lighting a bonfire in a garden presents significant risks to residents if they get out of hand. Not only this, but the smoke can also aggravate neighbours with respiratory problems. They can also get out of control very quickly, causing damage to property and sometimes serious injury.”

If you do plan on using fireworks at home, please ensure you consider the safety advice below:

• Only buy fireworks with a CE mark
• Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper, stand well back and never go back to a lit firework
• Never throw fireworks or put them in your pockets or clothing
• Light sparklers one at a time wearing gloves, and place used sparklers in a bucket of water
• Never give sparklers to children under five
• Keep your pets indoors throughout the evening
• It is illegal to sell fireworks to someone under the age of 18 or to light fireworks in a public place
• Respect your neighbours – don’t let off fireworks late at night and remember there are laws to follow.

If you do decide to have a bonfire, please follow these five tips:

• Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges
• Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire, and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture, or batteries
• Don’t leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with plenty of water
• Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case the fire spreads
• Check the weather – avoid lighting bonfires in high winds.

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