Your guide to a safe Bonfire Night

We feel it’s important to consider your local community, environment and wildlife when planning events either at home or within your property or business, and Bonfire Night is no different.

To ensure you can make the most of your evening whilst also staying safe and considerate, we’ve put together a few short pointers of what you need to know before lighting those fireworks.

Keep a fire-free zone.

The safest way to enjoy Bonfire Night is to attend a pre-organised event in a large, open space, away from treelines, and managed by professionals trained in fire safety. However, if you do plan on having your own bonfire, distance is a key factor; place your bonfire well away from property, fences and trees. Surface is an equally important factor, and it’s recommended to build your fire on a level ground, away from dry grass and leaves that could be a potential fire hazard.

Help the hogs!

Many creatures, including hedgehogs, mistake bonfires for a warm place to hibernate for the winter. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has issued some top tips on how to help hedgehogs and reduce the risk of harming them. This involves asking communities to stop, move and check your bonfire set-up before lighting.

• Stop – Can you attend an organised community event?
• Move – If you decide to have a bonfire, move all burnable items to a different location until you’re ready to light it.
• Check – Carefully check the entirety of the bonfire for wildlife.

Go out with a bang…

Fireworks are synonymous with Bonfire Night, but to have the safest night you can, keep a bucket of water nearby. Strong wind can alter the trajectory of fireworks so maintaining a safe distance is key – you'll still be able to see the fireworks from the back!