Fire safety - bonfires and firework displays

Our advice is to attend an organised bonfire if possible.

For more information about fire safety, please use the external links.

Private bonfires

Bonfires should be built at least 18 metres from things such as buildings, trees and fences
They should be no more than 3 metres high for private events and should not be built under overhead cables
Do not use petrol or any other flammable liquid to start a bonfire
Always check inside the bonfire for animals and children who could be using them as a den

Organised bonfires and firework displays

Running a display takes a lot of work, so try to share the load by planning ahead
Set up a committee whose members can each take responsibility for a particular task, including one person to be in charge of all safety arrangements
Arrange for fire extinguishers, buckets of water, buckets of sand and metal litter bins to be available on the night
Check that plenty of electric torches will be available on the night, with full batteries
Publicise the fact that spectators are not allowed to bring their own fireworks, including sparklers
Draw up a detailed checklist of tasks and indicate who is to be responsible for each one
Check whether you are adequately insured to cover any firework-related injuries to those present at the display

Bonfires

Don't site it too near your display or firework storage area and don't site it anywhere near fences or trees
Never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going, as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion
Check immediately before lighting that there is no animal or a young child hidden inside
Don't burn dangerous rubbish, such as aerosols, paint tins or foam filled furniture
Remove any rubbish from your bonfire area in advance so nothing can be thrown onto the fire on the night
After the event the bonfire needs to be put out completely before you leave the site

Picking the right location

You should choose a large, clear and well mown area free from obstructions, well away from any buildings, trees and hazards like overhead cables. There should be as many safe entrances and exits as possible, which must be away from the firing area and dropping zone. The firing area should be at least 50m x 20m and beyond this you will need a dropping zone for spent fireworks of 100m x 50m in the downwind direction.

Crowd control

Spectators should be kept back on the opposite side to the dropping zone at least 25m from the firing area, so proper crowd control is essential and needs good planning:

arrange for some stewards
take great care at all times
plan your display in advance
do not allow smoking
before lighting any firework, read the instructions on it carefully by torchlight
make sure that the wind blows away from spectators
the display should be angled away from spectators
never use matches or lighters for lighting fire works at a displa

A sudden change of wind could cause aerial fireworks to fall dangerously among spectators and in very windy weather you should consider putting off the display altogether, however disappointing that might be.

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