Fire service advises against bonfires at home

As Bonfire Night approaches a fire and rescue service has urged residents to prioritise safety and attend organised displays rather than hosting their own.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was often called to incidents this time of year involving out-of-control bonfires and fireworks.

Gareth Boyd, the service's station commander, said bonfires in gardens could present significant risks to people if they got out of control.

"We would always recommend attended an organised fireworks display rather than hosting your own," he said.

For those planning a display in their garden, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough fire service issued some safety tips:

• Only buy fireworks with a CE mark, which shows the manufacturer has checked these products meet safety, health or environmental requirements
• Light fireworks at arm's length using a taper 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 aged under five
• Keep your pets indoors throughout the evening
• Build your bonfire 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
• Do not 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 hose pipe nearby in case the fire spreads
• Check the weather and avoid lighting bonfires in high winds

Mr Boyd added that the smoke from bonfires could also aggravate neighbours with respiratory problems.

"[Bonfires] can also get out of control very quickly, causing damage to property and sometimes serious injury," he added.

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