CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service has issued a stark warning to residents in Warrington ahead of Bonfire Night.
With many firework displays and bonfires taking place early as November 5 falls on Tuesday, the service urged people to only attend organised displays.
In a statement, it said: “This time of year is one of the busiest for firefighters, as they often have to deal with nuisance, deliberate fires.
“We want you to enjoy celebrations, but to do so safely.
“We would always recommend going to an organised bonfire or firework display as it is much safer to do so.”
A small number of displays also take place next weekend as well as those on Bonfire Night itself.
Firefighters also issued a list of approved bonfires and fireworks displays in the town.
They include:
Halloween Bonfire Party at the Station House, Station Road South, Padgate, tonight at 6pm. In Stockton Heath, there is a bonfire and fireworks at the Scout Hut, but it’s sold out.
Further south of the town, the doors open at Thelwall Parish Hall’s bonfire and fireworks display on November 2 at 5pm.
Warrington Wolves is hosting a Fireworks Event tonight at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with the doors opening at 5:30pm tonight.
And Broomfields Junior School is organising a fireworks spectacular in Bridge Lane, Appleton, between 6pm and 9pm tonight.
Gullivers World in Callands has a fireworks event tonight for families and All Saints Church in Lymm is hosting an event.
On Bonfire Night on Tuesday, Moore Rugby Club is hosting a ticket only event from 6:30pm.
Finally, next Saturday evening (November 9), Lymm Roundtable is hosting an event at Highfield Road, Lymm.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service urged people organising their own bonfire to follow safety advice to ensure people have a good time while staying safe.
This includes:
• Never use flammable liquids – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire
• Position the bonfire well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs – and always away from fireworks
• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
• Don’t burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint and bottles
• Keep everyone away from the fire – especially children, who must be supervised at all the times
• In case of emergency, keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready for use
If you plan on using fireworks then always buy them from a reputable retailer to make sure that they conform to British standards. You can check this by making sure the fireworks have BS 7114 written on the box.
Make sure you follow the below safety advice to make sure you keep yourself and your family and friends safe.
• Stand well back
• Keep pets indoors
• Keep fireworks in a closed box
• Only buy fireworks that are CE marked
• Light at arm’s length, using a taper
• Follow the instructions on each firework
• Never give sparklers to a child under five
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Always supervise children around fireworks
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
• Never go near a firework that has been lit – even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode. Pour water on the embers before leaving.
