Keep calm and sparkle on this Bonfire night
Published Wednesday 28 October 2020 at 11:49
With events cancelled this year, Blackburn with Darwen Council have been working with partners to help keep residents safe this Bonfire and Halloween.
Residents are being urged to stay safe if you are creating your own fun within your household this year.
Please do what you can this autumn to ensure the NHS don’t receive high hospital attendance numbers that could be easily avoided by following simple safety advice.
The Council has been working closely with partners at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS), Lancashire Constabulary, North West Ambulance Service and partner authorities via the Lancashire Resilience Forum to help residents enjoy the season safely.
Lancashire Constabulary will be carrying out extra patrols in the run up to Bonfire Night and will be working with the Council, Trading Standards and LFRS, to try and ensure everyone is able to enjoy a safe and secure bonfire night. This will involve test purchasing in local shops and clearing away bonfires and where necessary officers will intervene and use enforcement powers to ensure our communities are kept safe.
Chief Fire Officer for LFRS, Justin Johnston, said;
We’re urging people not to host events or have bonfires at their own private property this year. We aren’t trying to ruin people’s fun but garden bonfires can so easily get out of control and with local restrictions forcing much of Lancashire into lockdown, we must also abide by local and national rules to ensure our NHS remains protected.
He added:
Bonfire Night can be a scary time for people. Our elderly, children and pets can easily become scared and intimidated by firework noise. Please tell your neighbours if you are planning on letting off fireworks and avoid purchasing really noisy ones. We’ve also celebrated a number of centenary and anniversary dates recently, such as VE Day. Please show the same respect when Remembrance silences were observed, by thinking how traumatic fireworks could be for someone from a military background or who suffers the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
During March and April lockdown LFRS attended 432 nuisance fires caused by burning rubbish in people’s gardens. Not only did these get out of control putting property and life at risk but the smoke also caused problems for those with breathing difficulties and especially those suffering the affects of Coronavirus. Garden bonfires also take our crews away from potentially life-threatening incidents.
Head of Neighbourhood Policing Chief Supt Sam Mackenzie said:
Bonfire night and the run up to it always creates extra demand for local services. In some areas we see increases in antisocial behaviour and criminal damage and sadly a number of firework injuries as a result. However, this year, we also have high levels of Coronavirus to contend with so it’s vitally important we all do our bit to stay safe. That means following the firework code and sticking to the latest guidance and regulations around households and gatherings.
If you are purchasing fireworks, the recommendation is to buy them from reputable supermarkets that carry the CE mark. It is important to ensure that fireworks are stored safely until you use them on Bonfire Night where they can’t get damp, are stored away from heat sources and children and young adults.
You must be over 18 to purchase fireworks and it is illegal to set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places. You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
Councillor Mustafa Desai Exec Member for Adult Service and Prevention said:
We are currently amidst a global pandemic and we are asking people not to take risks, putting additional pressures on our emergency services. We know how tough it is for everyone at the moment and there are ways you can enjoy Bonfire night safely by watching live-streamed organised displays, or hosting your own indoor family celebration with a Bonfire night cook-along, a zoom call quiz or a movie night with toasted marshmallows. We want everyone to stay safe.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is offering schools across Blackburn with Darwen free Bright Sparx educational sessions, held virtually on various dates until November 4. To sign up please email: preventionsupport@lancsfirerescue.org.uk
They are also hosting a virtual Bonfire Night on Thursday 5 November at 6:30pm live from their Facebook page. It will involve a bonfire and fireworks display, tour of the fire engine and finish with a bedtime story by Firefighter ‘Cloughy’ who many people know and love from the lockdown sessions.
We’ll be sharing safety messages throughout the bonfire season so be sure to follow us across all our social media channels.