It’s the first day of Lockdown 2.0, and also the fifth of November. Given that all public firework displays have been cancelled, there is concern from the fire services that many more people than usual will be doing DIY fireworks in their gardens.
This could mean several things. Firstly and most importantly, that the fire service’s busiest night of the year is likely to be much, much busier than normal.
Some people might be organising DIY fireworks for the first time, if they would normally go to public displays, and do not have the experience of having done them before. Others might be rushing to organise something that should really be planned ahead and proper safety measures organised. Consider doing fireworks on a different night if tonight is too soon to properly prepare. (My family and I had our fireworks last night. There is nothing wrong with celebrating on a different day! I’ve been hearing fireworks in my area for the last three or so nights and I’m sure I will for several more nights.)
Given that stocks of fireworks may be low by now and non-essential retailers will be closed from today, you may be tempted to buy fireworks from non-reputable sources, such as through social media. These may not conform to safety standards and could be very dangerous.
Some people might decide to ignore government restrictions and invite friends and family over for private displays. Please do not do this.
Guidance for home fireworks can be found here. If you decide to hold a bonfire, this is the guidance from the same website:
- Don’t site it too near your display or firework storage
- Never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion
- Check immediately before lighting that there’s no animal or even a young child hidden inside
- Never put fireworks on a bonfire, even if they’re dud
- Don’t burn dangerous rubbish (e.g. aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture)
- Afterwards, the bonfire needs to be put out completely.
Unfortunately I only had the idea for this post this morning, and wasn’t able to finish it as early as I would have liked, but on the off chance it reaches someone for whom the information is helpful, I’m posting it now anyway.