Cleveland Fire Brigade urging people to be kind during bonfire season
The Service is asking communities to Be Smart, Be Safe, Be Sensible
Cleveland Fire Brigade are urging people to be kind ahead of Bonfire Night as they say this time of the year tends to be one of its busiest.
Last year on Bonfire Night, crews responded to 165 incidents across Cleveland, around a 12% increase on the previous year. These included numerous bonfires, 18 of which had become out of control, alongside rubbish fires, two property fires and one flat fire.
The Service is asking communities to Be Smart, Be Safe, Be Sensible.
Hannah Smith, Head of Prevention and Engagement at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "If you do insist on using fireworks, the first thing is that you need to make sure they are licensed, safe fireworks. I think if you think you're getting a cheap deal on fireworks, you probably are, and they may not be safe to use. So make sure you're buying them from a reputable place first of all.
"When you are using them, don't drink a lot of alcohol and use fireworks. Those two things do not mix very well. Stay alert, stand back, and make sure you're not close to a firework when it's going off. Of course, keep children away from fireworks. They may not have the same awareness of the dangers that you do. And be considerate of your neighbours and animals.
"When it comes to bonfires, what we find is that rubbish and refuse can be a major risk. So make sure your bins are away from buildings, fences and anything that's flammable. Make sure your waste collection is up to date so you don't have a build-up of refuse.
"We do encourage people to report deliberate bonfires and illegal bonfires to us on the evening. So if you do see something that you're concerned about then call us. You can also report deliberate fire-setting to the police. But if you want to do that anonymously, lots of people have heard of Crimestoppers. You can also report to Firestoppers as well. That's 100% anonymous.
"I wish I could tell you why people think it's acceptable or appropriate to assault, abuse or attack firefighters while they're out trying to save lives in their community. It's absolutely unacceptable. Somebody has rung 999 because they need the emergency services. Those firefighters are just there to do their job and make sure the community is kept safe.
"I think they can receive verbal abuse from members of the public, especially if they are seen to be disrupting what people perceive as fun, such as fireworks or bonfires. Again, they are there to respond to an emergency. They are there to keep you safe. I appreciate it may not be what you want, but their priority is saving lives and keeping people safe from harm. So that's what they're there to do."
On its website, Cleveland Fire Brigade said: "Fireworks are explosives and can be extremely dangerous if not handled correctly, with the potential to cause serious injury. Thousands of people are injured each year as a result of fireworks, bonfires and sparklers, with common injuries affecting the hands, wrists and eyes. Sparklers can also reach temperatures of more than 2,000°C."
Safety advice if people choose to celebrate at home:
- Think, don’t drink – alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
- Stay alert – always supervise children around fireworks.
- Stand back – keep a safe distance from fireworks and stay behind any safety cordons.
- Protect four-legged friends – keep pets safely indoors.
- Be considerate – be mindful of your neighbours and the times when fireworks can legally be used.
- Shop safely – only buy fireworks from reputable, licensed retailers and make sure they meet the required safety standards.
As part of its Bonfire campaign, the Service is also highlighting the dangers of deliberate fires. These incidents not only put lives and property at risk but can tie up valuable fire service resources and take crews away from other emergencies where they may be needed.
For more Bonfire Night and firework safety advice as well as details of local fireworks displays in the Cleveland area, visit Cleveland Fire Brigade's website.
Cleveland Fire Brigade is also asking everyone to remain vigilant throughout the Bonfire period and help keep their communities safe.
Anyone with information about deliberate fire-setting can report it to FireStoppers, 100% anonymously, at firestoppersreport.co.uk.