Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service advice for bonfire night
They say bonfire night is a busy time for firefighters
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is encouraging people to attend organised firework displays this bonfire night.
They say having small displays in your back garden or yard, as well as congregating on open land, can be more dangerous for the community.
Andy Lillford, Group Manager and Head of Prevention and Education at TWFRS, said: "This can place great strain on our fire control operators and our frontline resources as we need to make sure that we still keep fire engines and firefighters available for life risk calls where people's lives and property are in immediate danger.
"So please only call us in an emergency.
"Please avoid having fires on open ground and attend organised fireworks displays wherever you can."
The fire service also tells us they will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and abuse towards firefighters.
They say they are expecting to see a rise in the number of 999 calls, so urging people to be respectful.
Andy said: "Sadly, we still see a number of firefighters being attacked on the run of the Bonfire Night and on the night itself, where mainly young people throw objects at fire engines, trying to assault firefighters and verbally abuse them.
"Our message is really clear, we will not tolerate this and we will be working with our partners and the police to seek to identify anybody who is responsible for direct and anti-social behaviour towards firefighters."