Bonfire Night - keep safe and sound
Bonfire Night is a time to have enjoyment and fun with family and friends. However it is important to remember that both bonfires and fireworks are dangerous and acting irresponsibly can have devastating consequences. See fireworks safety.
Follow the Fireworks Code
- Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
- Use them one at a time, replacing the lid immediately
- Never put fireworks in your pocket
- Read the instructions carefully, using a torch or hand lamp, never a naked flame
- Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter
- Stand well back and never return to a firework after it has been lit, it could explode in your face
- Ensure that all children with fireworks are well supervised
- Never throw fireworks
- Keep all pets and animals indoors
- Take care of sparklers, wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished
- We want you to stay safe and within the law on Bonfire Night. There are offences relating to fireworks including a curfew as noise from fireworks can be a problem for both people and animals.
Firework Offences
- Possession by a person under 18 of a ‘adult firework’ in a public place, an ‘adult firework’ is any firework with the exception of indoor type fireworks such as caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents, sparklers or thrown downs.
- Possession of a category 4 firework (professional display fireworks) by a member of the public other than a professionally qualified and trained person.
- Breach of the fireworks curfew. The curfew on the use of fireworks exists between 11pm and 7am with the exception of the following nights:
- Bonfire Night, the curfew will begin at midnight,
- Diwali, the curfew will begin at 1am the following day,
- New Years Eve, the curfew will begin at 1am the following day,
- Chinese New Year, the curfew will begin at 1am the following day.
Animals
For advice on what to do to protect and help your pet when fireworks are being let off see the RSPCA website page fireworks frighten animals.
For Further Information:
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Contact: Community Safety Officer, Town Hall, Penrith, CA11 7QF
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Telephone: 01768 817817
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Email: community.safety@eden.gov.uk
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Fax: 01768 890470
