How To Enjoy A Safe Bonfire Night

• Look after your pets
• Be careful with sparklers
• Protect your home from burglars
• Choose your clothing carefully
• Attend a professional firework display
  • Contact us today

Bonfire Night is quickly coming around, with many of us looking to attend organised firework displays with family and friends. This can be a great time to sip on a hot chocolate, wrap up warm and enjoy this time of year.

It is not without its dangers, however, with data produced by the Government showing that the London Fire Brigade attend 447 fire-related incidents on the 5th November 2021. Bonfire Night carries a great fire risk, so it is best to be aware of the dangers it presents.

Take a look at our blog for some guidance on how you can experience Bonfire Night safely, whilst still having a great time.

Look after your pets

Though 5th November is a popular time of year, our furry friends can find this time upsetting. Before night draws in, make sure that you have walked your dog so you don't have to walk them when fireworks start going off.

Giving your dog a blanket, or placing them in their favourite part of the house, are things that can help reduce their anxiety. Once evening settles, you should keep your animals indoors. 

Other actions you can take to comfort your pets include turning the TV on or other noises, as this assists in disguising the sound of fireworks. Close all windows wherever possible too, as this will drown out any loud noises.

Should your pet be spooked, there are some instances when they could try to run away. It is important that your pet is microchipped so that they can be found in the event of becoming lost.

Be careful with sparklers

Whether attending a firework display or interacting with sparklers at home, there are certain precautions you need to take during this activity. 

If you are with children, make sure they are supervised at all times. No-one under the age of five should be using sparklers, and ensure both children and adults are wearing gloves when handling a sparkler.

The sparkler must always be held horizontally, and take care that there is enough space around you to use the sparklers safely. Once the fun has been had, put the sparklers into a bucket of water so that the fire risk is reduced. 

When using a sparkler, be careful that you're not too close to others as this can cause serious injuries. If you take all these safety precautions into consideration, then sparklers can be another highlight of your evening!

Protect your home from burglars

With many people leaving the house to attend Bonfire Night celebrations, burglars have a prime opportunity to steal from your property.

Before you exit the premises, make sure that all doors and windows are secure to reduce points of entry. It is also recommended to leave the TV and a couple of lights on in the home, as this will give the illusion that someone is in the building. 

To be on the safe side, it might be worth investing in an alarm system. Nowadays, there are smart devices which interlink with your system that can alert you to the presence of anyone entering your home. This will give you peace of mind that your home is as protected as it can be.

One other thing to take into consideration around this time of year is to safely store away your wheelie bin. People take to setting off fireworks inside bins, which can cause much damage to the surrounding area and injuries to passers-by.

Choose your clothing carefully

On the 5th November, it is getting into the coldest time of the year. Wearing warm clothes, such as scarfs and coats, is essential to enjoying yourself on Bonfire Night. 

However, tuck your scarf into your coat to stop it from catching fire on anything. Gloves are a must have too, as they will keep you warm and prevent your hands from being directly exposed to flames.

If you're attending an organised display with young children, it is a good idea to ensure they wear high-vis clothing so you can spot them easily. It also means that you can enjoy the evening more as you are able to keep a close eye on your children. 

Additionally, choose your footwear carefully. Wellingtons are a popular choice to wear to a bonfire display, as they offer your feet protection from dirt and are well equipped for the conditions found in fields.

At this time of year, Halloween is also on people's minds. For information about how to keep safe while experiencing this celebration, take a look at our recent blog.

Attend a professional firework display

Fireworks are the main feature of this occasion, but they can be incredibly dangerous to handle. It is recommended by the London Fire Service that you attend a professional firework display rather than trying to organise one yourself, due to the risks involved.

Organisers of large-scale professional events have to follow strict safety regulations in the running of a firework display, and it will be meticulously planned. In the average person's garden, there is both not enough space for a firework, and a very real danger that it could be mishandled.

The damage caused by a firework going off incorrectly can be devastating, from causing damage to the surrounding environment to resulting in injuries of people in the vicinity. 

Contact us today

If you find yourself the victim of a fire, we're on hand to help you. Day or night, you can book fire damage cleaning services with us. Get in touch today on 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk for a free survey/quote.

Our expert technicians have years of experience in fire damage restoration, having attended cleans in all kinds of environments. We also hold numerous accreditations with industry-leading organisations, such as BICSc, IPAF and Safe Contractor.