Stay safe on bonfire night

With bonfire night fast approaching, Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, and Dorset’s Trading Standards Service are together issuing advice to the public to ensure that celebrations across Dorset are safe and enjoyable.

Bonfire night can be a busy time of year for the emergency services and local authorities. To ensure the county remains safe during this time, Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be carrying out extra patrols throughout the bonfire night period.

A Dorset police spokesperson said: “bonfire night is a great opportunity for local communities to get together and have fun, but we want to make sure that the public are kept safe and feel safe.

“It is important to remember that some members of our community, such as older residents and young children, can be scared by fireworks and find them distressing.

“Parents must also make sure that they keep their children safe during bonfire night celebrations, as bonfire and firework displays can present dangers to children.

“Members of the public are also reminded that it is an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to have adult fireworks in their possession in a public place. Retailers will be liable to prosecution if they are found selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.”

“If you see anything suspicious or anyone attempting to light unauthorised fires, please call 999 and report it immediately."

The firework code:
• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Keep fireworks in a closed box
• Follow the instructions on each firework
• Light at arm's length, using a taper
• Stand well back
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
• Always supervise children around fireworks
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Never give sparklers to a child under five
• Keep pets indoors

Bonfire advice:
• Site well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs and always away from fireworks
• Before lighting the fire, check that no pets or children are hiding inside it
• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
• Never use flammable liquids  – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire
• Don’t burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols and tins of paint or bottles
• Keep everyone away from the fire – especially children, who must be supervised at all times

In addition, Dorset police is issuing the following advice about firework and bonfire displays:
• Fireworks must not be let off after 11pm (this is extended up to midnight on 5 November itself)
• Young people under the age of 18 cannot buy (or be in possession of) adult fireworks
• Always keep a bucket of water close by

If members of the public have any concerns, they can contact Dorset police on 01202/01305 222222