Remember remember the 5th of November – Bonfire Night safety advice

Alongside Guy Fawkes’ thwarted gunpowder plot, the 5th November is remembered largely for the host of celebrations and events that take place in commemoration. Fireworks, sparklers, rides, candyfloss – and of course – bonfires. While a great addition to a wintery night, bonfires need to be handled with extreme caution. We want to make sure the 5th November – and every night of the year – is one to remember for the right reasons. The team here at Cheshire Fire have put together the following guide to help you stay safe around bonfires.

Be careful with alcohol around bonfires

• Alcohol can impair your ability to make sensible, rational choices. We strongly recommend delegating one person to be in charge of the bonfire and for that person to remain sober. If you are going to drink, always be cautious of how much you are drinking around bonfires and never go over your limits.

Don’t throw fireworks, flammable liquids or pressurised containers onto a fire

• Always be aware of what you’re putting on a fire. Throwing fireworks, flammable liquids or pressurised containers will cause combustions and explosions that can be extremely dangerous.

Keep a bucket of water around

• It’s always a good idea to keep a bucket of water handy in case the fire starts getting a little out of hand or you need to put it out in an emergency. You should also end your bonfire session by putting the fire out with water, rather than just leaving it to burn out.

Ignite your bonfire in a safe location

• It’s important to be weary of where you are choosing to start your bonfire. It should  be on a site away from wooden structures such as fences and sheds. You should also be aware of the people around you whom the bonfire could bother. Make sure you are away from the public or any cars, as the smoke could affect a driver’s vision and cause accidents.

Keep children safe

• When choosing to light a bonfire, it’s vitally important to consider the safety of young children. Make sure you don’t ignite your bonfire near places where there may be a lot of children, such as a park or a school. If you are bringing a child along to the bonfire, make sure they are kept supervised at all times.

Be aware of what you wear

• Bonfires can spread easily, and the last thing anyone would want is for their hair or clothes to accidently catch fire. To ensure this doesn’t happen, keep your hair tied up and avoid any baggy clothing.

What to do if someone catches fire

It’s vital you know the STOP, DROP and ROLL technique in case you or someone you know catches fire. We highly recommend teaching the following technique to your children so that they’re aware of what to do if they ever catch fire when you’re not around.

The technique is as follows:

STOP – Stop where you are. Do not run around as this can make the flames worse.

DROP – Drop to the ground. Lay down with your legs out straight.

ROLL – Roll back and forth until the flames have gone out.

Cheshire Fire was conceived with the aim of helping protect as many as possible from fire. In addition to tips and advice, we provide fire alarms, extinguishers, safety training and more. To hear more about our products and services, give our expert team a call today.