Fire Safety in the Home

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Fire Safety Outdoors

BONFIRE SAFETY

If you are planning to have a bonfire, whether it is to dispose of garden waste or as part of a celebration such as Guy Fawkes night, it is essential to exercise caution. Adhering to the following straightforward tips will help to ensure your safety, as well as that of others:

Building a bonfire

Fire can spread easily, so where and how you build your bonfire is important:

build the bonfire away from sheds, fences, and trees
check there are no cables, like telephone wires, above the bonfire
don’t build the bonfire too big, and make sure the stack is stable and won’t collapse outwards or to one side
Use only dry materials, as damp materials will produce more smoke. This could potentially cause inconvenience to your neighbors or be harmful to individuals with respiratory issues.
Avoid burning aerosols, tires, canisters, or any items containing foam or paint as they can generate toxic fumes. Additionally, some of these containers may explode, resulting in potential injuries.

Make sure to clear any rubbish from the surrounding area of the bonfire to prevent anyone from being tempted to throw something onto the fire.

Before lighting the bonfire, be sure to inspect it carefully. Piles of garden waste may serve as a shelter for hibernating wildlife, so it’s important to check for any signs of animals before starting the fire.

don’t use petrol or paraffin to get the fire going – it may get out of control quickly

Bonfire safety tips

Once the bonfire is lit, make sure you:

It is important to have a bucket of water or a garden hose close by in case of emergencies.
Do not leave the bonfire unattended.
Keep children and pets at a safe distance away from the bonfire.
Never throw fireworks into the fire.

Once the bonfire has died down, spray the embers with water to stop it from reigniting.

Bonfires and the law

While there are no specific laws against having a bonfire, there are several laws in place to address the nuisance that bonfires can create. For more information, please refer to the section titled ‘Bonfires and the Law.’

Bonfires and the law

Other ways to dispose of garden waste

There are alternative ways to dispose of your garden waste without having to resort to a bonfire. For instance, many types of garden waste, such as grass cuttings and leaves, can be recycled by composting.

Composting (environment and greener living section)

Reducing waste and recycling (environment and greener living section)

FIREWORK SAFETY AND THE LAW

Fireworks are often a prominent feature of various celebrations, such as Bonfire Night, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. It’s essential to keep in mind that fireworks are explosive and burn at high temperatures, so it’s crucial to handle and store them with care. To learn more about firework safety and the laws surrounding their use, please refer to the relevant resources.

Firework safety checklist

Statistics have demonstrated that a greater number of children than adults sustain injuries caused by fireworks. If you are planning to incorporate fireworks into your celebrations, it’s imperative that you adhere to the following guidelines:

Before your firework display

Preparation is key to enjoying fireworks safely, so:

Refrain from purchasing fireworks from untrustworthy sources such as a van or a temporary, unlicensed market stall.
Only acquire fireworks that are marked BS 7114. This is the British Standard that all fireworks must meet; a reputable shop should be aware of this.
Always follow the instructions provided with each firework. Read them in daylight or by torchlight but never by a naked flame.
If you plan to launch Catherine wheels or rockets, make sure to create suitable supports and launchers.

Things you will need on the night

It’s easy to get a few household things together; these are:

a closed metal box to store the fireworks – take them out one at a time
a bucket of water – to cool sparklers and put out any small fires
eye protection and gloves
a bucket of the earth to stick fireworks in

Lighting fireworks

Follow these simple guidelines to stay safe:

Designate only one individual to be responsible for igniting the fireworks.
Avoid consuming alcohol if you are the one handling the fireworks.
Light the fireworks using a taper while keeping your arm extended.
Ensure that everyone stands at a safe distance away from the fireworks.
Never return to a firework that has already been lit. Even if it has not gone off, there is still a risk of it exploding.

Sparklers

Sparklers are fun, but always:

Always supervise children while they are handling sparklers, and do not give them to children under five years of age.
Light sparklers individually and wear gloves when doing so.
After the sparkler has been used, put it into a bucket of sand or water with the hot end facing downwards.

Other tips on the night

Finally, follow these other rules for a safe night:

Keep your pets indoors as most animals tend to become frightened due to the lights and noise from fireworks.
Do not put fireworks in your pocket or throw them under any circumstances.
Avoid throwing used fireworks onto a bonfire.
Exercise caution around bonfires since all types of clothing, even those labelled ‘low flammability,’ can catch fire.

Bonfire safety

Fire safety advice for parents and child carers (parents section)

Fireworks and the law

There are laws about when fireworks can be sold and to who – as well as the time’s fireworks can be set off.

If you are under 18 years of age

If you are under 18, you can’t:

buy the types of fireworks which can be sold only to adults
have fireworks in public places

If you do, the police can give you an on-the-spot fine of £80.

Using fireworks legally

It is against the law to:

set off or throw fireworks in the street or other public place
set off fireworks between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am – except during certain celebrations

If convicted by a court of law, you may face a fine of up to £5,000 and a prison sentence of up to three months. Additionally, you could be subject to an on-the-spot fine of £80.

When you can use fireworks during celebrations

You can let off fireworks :

until midnight on Bonfire Night
until 1.00 am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year

Dealing with a noise nuisance

Firework legislation Opens new window

When fireworks are available to buy

Fireworks for private use and from a registered seller can only be sold:

between 15 October and 10 November – around Bonfire Night
between 26 December and 31 December – for New Year’s Eve
three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year

For the rest of the year, you will only be able to buy fireworks from shops that are licensed to supply them.

If you suspect that a shop is unregistered or selling fireworks illegally, you should contact your council’s Trading Standards Officer. Your council should also have a list of authorized sellers.

Find your local Trading Standards office Opens new window

Animals and pets

It is against the law to cause unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animal. The penalty if found guilty is either imprisonment up to 51 weeks, a fine of up to £20,000, or both.

Animal firework safety information from the RSPCA Opens a new window

Animal welfare and advice – including how to report animal cruelty

Firework displays for the general public

If you are organizing a firework display for the general public, see ‘Organising a firework display’ for advice on how to run it safely and successfully.

Organizing a firework display

HOW TO REDUCE THE RISK OF WILDFIRES

Although the risk of a wildfire starting is increased during the summer due to dry ground conditions, it is essential to exercise caution throughout the year. To minimize the risk of a countryside wildfire, adhere to the following guidelines:

Ensure cigarettes are extinguished correctly and do not discard cigarette butts on the ground. Dispose of them in a trash can.
Never throw cigarette butts out of car windows.
Avoid using open fires while in the countryside.
Do not leave bottles or glass in woodland areas, as the sun’s rays passing through the glass can start fires. Take them home and recycle them.
Only use barbecues in designated and safe areas; do not leave them unattended.
If you notice a fire in the countryside, alert the fire and rescue service immediately.
Do not attempt to put out fires that cannot be extinguished with a bucket of water. Leave the area as soon as possible.

BARBECUE SAFETY

Whether you are in the garden or out camping, follow these simple tips to barbecue safely and avoid injuries or damage to property from fire:

make sure your barbecue site is flat and away from fences, trees and sheds
keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby, in case of emergencies
use only enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue to a depth of about 5 centimetres (2 inches)
never use petrol or paraffin to start, or revive your barbecue – use only barbecue fire lighters or starter fuel on cold coals
keep children and pets away from the cooking area
don’t leave the barbecue unattended
enjoy yourself – but don’t drink too much if you are in charge of a barbecue
after cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before trying to move it
empty ashes on to bare soil, not into a bin

Gas barbecues – additional tips

Follow these extra tips if you are using a gas barbecue:

make sure your barbecue is in good working order
make sure the tap is off before changing the gas cylinder, and do it in the open air
don’t over-tighten joints
when you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before you turn off the barbecue controls – this means any gas in the pipeline will be used up
read the manufacturer’s instructions about how to check for leaks in the cylinder or pipework, eg, brushing soapy water around all joints and looking for bubbles

Storing gas cylinders

Don’t keep more cylinders than you need. Gas cylinders should be kept outside, away from direct sunlight and frost. If you have to keep them inside your house, make sure you don’t store them under the stairs. If there is a fire, they could explode, and the stairs are likely to be your escape route.

CAMPING SAFETY

When you are going camping, follow these basic precautions to reduce the risk of a fire starting and spreading:

Prior to departing, obtain the contact information for the local fire and rescue service.
When pitching tents, ensure they are at least six meters apart from each other and away from parked cars.
Make sure you are aware of the fire safety protocols in place at the campsite, as well as the location of the nearest telephone.
Refrain from using oil-burning devices, such as candles or lanterns, inside or in close proximity to a tent. Torches are a safer alternative.
Do not smoke inside a tent.
Position your cooking area a safe distance away from your tent.
Keep your cooking area clear of flammable items, including long, dry grass.
Place cooking appliances in a location where they cannot easily be knocked over.
Keep matches, lighters, flammable liquids, and gas cylinders out of reach of children.
Have an emergency evacuation plan in place, and be prepared to cut your way out of the tent in the event of a fire.

How to deal with fire when camping

Remember these two simple tips:

Get everyone out straight away – fires in tents spread very quickly
Call the fire and rescue service and give a map reference if possible – provide a landmark, like a farm or a pub, to help them find you.