As firework season approaches, we are working in partnership with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland to provide vital safety advice to ensure that you can enjoy this year’s bonfire night in a safe manner.
Attend an organised event
Wherever possible, please attend an organised event where all the appropriate fire safety measures should be in place.
There is a greater risk of accidents taking place at private displays, where bonfires and fireworks can quickly get out of control.
Guidance for holding your own fireworks display
Watching fireworks can be great fun, however, figures show that children are more likely than adults to be injured by fireworks, and it is often babies and toddlers who are hurt. Children and young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance away from any bonfire and should be supervised and informed of the dangers of fireworks.
The following steps should be followed:
- Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
- Fireworks should only be purchased from a licensed retailer.
- Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
- Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
- Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
- Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
- Make sure that the fire is out, and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Sparkler safety
Sparklers can get five times hotter than cooking oil so it’s vital that children are shown how to hold them properly, at arm’s length, to prevent injury.
- Store sparklers and other fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place.
- Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
- Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand.
- Never give sparklers to children under five years old.
- Teach children not to wave them at other people or run while holding them.
- Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes that could catch alight easily and give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers.
- Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out. Remember, sparklers can stay hot for a long time.
- Don't take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely.
Guidance for organising an official bonfire
- Ensure the bonfire has been properly organised and attended by responsible adults.
- Bonfire should be on open ground well away from any buildings, overhead cables and other structures.
- Any bonfires should be far enough away to avoid being a public nuisance from smoke.
- Be aware of wind direction and the proximity of roads – smoke will travel and can be dangerous to drivers through obscuring vision.
- Area should be properly cordoned off to ensure public safety.
- Ensure bonfire is fully inspected prior to lighting to ensure that no hazardous items have been added and that no animals or children are hiding within it.
- Ensure all bonfires are fully extinguished prior to leaving.
- Any bonfire failing to satisfy safety conditions, or where people are behaving irresponsibly, may be deemed dangerous and could be either removed, extinguished or otherwise made safe.
In the event of an injury:
- cool the burn or scald with cold water for at least 10 minutes
- cut around material sticking to the skin - don't pull it off
- don't touch the burn or burst any blisters
- cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material - clingfilm is ideal - to prevent infection
- if clothing catches fire, get the person drop to the floor and roll them in heavy material
- get advice from your doctor or accident and emergency department at your local hospital
During this bonfire period, there will be an increased presence by all partners across East Ayrshire as they provide reassurance to local communities by engaging, explaining and encouraging safe behaviours.
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be engaging with local schools in the run up to 5 November, to increase awareness and highlight the dangers associated with bonfires and fireworks.
Useful links
Find out more from the following organisations:
Legislation
Adult fireworks packaging will be labelled with category F2 or F3 and can be supplied to consumers over 18 years old, only between the hours of 7am and 6pm.
You can use adult fireworks in private places, only between 6pm and 11pm.
It is illegal to set fireworks off at other times, except for:
- Bonfire Night on 5 November, when the cut off is midnight
- New Year's Eve, the night of Chinese New Year and Diwali, when the cut off is 1am
If you break these rules, you could be fined up to £5,000, sent to prison for up to six months, or both.
Storing and selling fireworks
Retailers must register with our Licensing Service to store fireworks and only certain types may be sold to the general public.
All known retailers have been provided with advice relating to the sale and storage of fireworks and further for further details please contact Trading Standards.
Buying fireworks
If you are buying fireworks, always go to a reputable shop and make sure that they carry the CE or UK/CA mark, details of the manufacturer and importer and have instructions in English.
Unauthorised bonfires
We have a policy of removing unauthorised bonfires from open spaces. They are dangerous as they often have no supervision and can contain items such tyres, paint and gas canisters which could explode or release noxious gases.
If you do see a bonfire being built in your area, please contact Greener Communities and we will arrange to remove it.