People in North Yorkshire urged to use organised displays this Bonfire Night
Fire service says fireworks can cause serious injuries and distress
People in North Yorkshire are being encouraged to celebrate Bonfire Night safely and with consideration for their communities.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service says the safest way to enjoy fireworks is at an organised display.
It says anyone planning a celebration at home should only use suitable fireworks and follow the Firework Code.
The fire service says fireworks are explosives and can cause serious burns, eye injuries and fires when misused.
It says they can also cause distress to neighbours, vulnerable people, pets, livestock and wildlife.
Think about your neighbours
People holding a home display are encouraged to let their neighbours know in advance.
They are also asked to consider how far the noise and debris may travel.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards' 'Think Beyond Your Garden, Know Your Impact' campaign asks people hosting private displays to think about how fireworks may affect the wider community.
The fire service says unexpected fireworks can be particularly difficult for veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder.
It says the same applies to people with anxiety or dementia, and autistic adults and children with sensory sensitivities.
Advice from the fire service
Colin Sutherland, Lead Community Safety Officer at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "As communities across North Yorkshire prepare to celebrate Bonfire Night, we're reminding everyone to enjoy fireworks responsibly and take simple steps to keep themselves and others safe. We would always encourage people to attend organised firework displays where possible. If you are planning your own display, make sure you follow the Firework Code, buy fireworks from reputable retailers, keep them in a closed box, and use them one at a time.
"Fireworks can cause serious injuries if they are misused, and they can also lead to fires and distress within local communities. We all have a part to play in keeping our communities safe. Please look out for your friends, neighbours, pets and vulnerable people so that everyone can enjoy the celebrations safely and responsibly."
Planning a home firework display
The fire service's advice for people using fireworks at home is:
Buy them from a reputable retailer and check they carry a UKCA or CE safety marking
Make sure the space available is suitable for the category of firework and the safety distance shown on its packaging
Keep fireworks in their original packaging or a closed box and use them one at a time
Read and follow the instructions on every firework
Light fireworks at arm's length using a taper, then stand well back
Keep cigarettes, naked flames and other sources of ignition away from fireworks
Never return to a firework after it has been lit
Never put fireworks in pockets or throw them
Direct rockets well away from spectators, buildings, trees and overhead hazards
Leave the lighting of fireworks to a responsible adult
Wear gloves when handling sparklers and never give them to a child under five
Keep children closely supervised and keep pets safely indoors
Have a bucket of water nearby and make sure spent fireworks are completely cool before disposal
Bonfire safety
Before lighting a bonfire, the fire service advises people to:
Check carefully for hedgehogs and other wildlife that may have taken shelter inside it
Build it well away from homes, sheds, fences, trees, hedges and overhead cables
Never use petrol, paraffin or another accelerant to start it
Keep children and pets at a safe distance
Never leave a lit bonfire unattended
Keep water or a hose nearby in case the fire begins to spread
Make sure the fire is completely out, and the surrounding area is safe, before leaving