Sponsored by
Bonfire night: Sparkle... but stay safe
Crowd waiting for the Firework Fiesta event last year. Photo: Peterborough ET
WITH Peterborough’s flagship fireworks event going up in smoke, more people than ever will be putting on displays in their back gardens.
The idealised view of dad struggling to light a rocket while mum and the kids chortle over their roasted spuds is a pleasant one.
But every year there are horrific firework-related incidents up and down the country through misadventure, ‘mucking around’, a gust of wind or a stray spark.
Last week a lad lost a finger when a firework exploded in a house in Stockport, while yesterday in Gateshead a firework thrown through a window landed on a child’s bed and burned through the mattress.
Nearer to home a safety warning was issued after thieves stole £5,000 worth of fireworks.
Hundreds of fireworks were stolen from a mobile building at Fireworks Direct in Tallington near Stamford sometime between Friday and Saturday, including rockets, catherine wheels, candles, screechers and power balls.
The Evening Telegraph used the Freedom of Information Act to find out the number of fireworks-related incidents which were attended by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS).
We asked for all incidents in the first week of November from 2006 to 2010.
Somewhat surprisingly only three were reported and there were no injuries. In the first, thugs put fireworks through people’s doors on November 1, 2007 in West Ward, and no further action was taken by the force.
The next was exactly a year later in Dogsthorpe which caused an outdoor fire, put out by firefighters. And on November 7, 2008, in North Bretton, fireworks caused a minor fire in a house.
No incidents were logged for the past two years from November 1 to November 8, although these numbers do not take into account incidents where victims only called the police, or bonfires which spread out of control.
Mark Bennett-Tighe, risk manager for CFRS said: “It only takes one accident involving fireworks to end tragically.
“So we are asking the people of Peterborough to continue to act sensibly with fireworks this bonfire night and remember the Firework Code.”
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service recommends going to an organised firework display instead of holding one at home, and there are a number across the city.
Risk manager Andy Tucker said: “We are urging people in Cambridgeshire to ensure these events remain fun for everyone involved and that people stay safe this year.
“Bonfires can very easily spread to nearby homes, outbuildings, trees and fences.
“Fireworks are extremely dangerous if not used correctly and can easily maim or kill the person using them, or those nearby. “
According to the Met Office’s five day predictions, tonight is likely to be cloudy with little wind in Peterborough.
But tomorrow night there could be up to 28mph wind gusts, and there is likely to be heavy rain, which might make fireworks harder to light. On Sunday expect showers and a lighter wind.
Police are also warned they would not tolerate the misuse of fireworks in the days before and after November 5.
Officers are keen to avoid any incidents of anti-social behaviour and offenders could face an on-the-spot fine of £80.
Sgt Ruth Sheehan said: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves this bonfire night, but it is important people use fireworks responsibly for the safety of themselves and others. We are working with Trading Standards to ensure that all those selling fireworks are licensed to do so and are not acting irresponsibly.”
Martin Boome, arson liaison officer, said: “Unfortunately at this time of the year there are some people who deliberately set off fireworks and start bonfires for malicious purposes.
“We would ask them to think carefully about the consequences of their actions and how they would feel if one of their friends were killed or seriously hurt.”
FIREWORKS GUIDELINES
- It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18
- It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.
- It is an offence for anyone under 18 to buy fireworks, or to sell fireworks to them.
- It is an offence to throw a firework in, or into, a street or public place.
- Retailers have to be licensed to sell fireworks.
- The use of fireworks during night hours is usually prohibited between 11pm and 7am. On November 5 fireworks may be set off until midnight.
- Sparklers should not be given to children under five.
Bonfires
- Before you light the bonfire, check that children and animals are not hiding inside and are a safe distance away
- Don’t leave bonfires unattended. An adult should have the time to supervise it until all the material is consumed
- If the bonfire has to be left it should be dampened down with water
- Don’t light bonfires in unsuitable weather conditions, particularly wind
- Keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe handy just in case
- Build bonfires well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences, hedges and traffic
- Never use flammable liquids to start the fire, and never burn dangerous rubbish such as aerosols, paint, foam furniture, rubber tyres, batteries etc.
Fireworks:
- Buy fireworks marked BS 7114
- Keep fireworks in a closed box
- Follow the instructions on each firework
- Light them at arm’s length using a taper
- Stand well back
- Never go back to a lit firework
- Never put fireworks in your pocket
- Never throw fireworks
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. Sparklers can reach a temperature of up to 2,000°C
- Never give sparklers to children under five
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 1 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Lazy Daisy
Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 10:57 AMThere's one near March tonight- could go there :)
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.