Shepway Liberal Democrats

Kent Fire Urge Safe Play with Fireworks

In the lead up to bonfire night, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is urging the people of Kent and Medway to stay safe and don't let accidents ruin your fun.

Fireworks and bonfire evenings can provide much entertainment so long as everyone follows the right safety procedures and remembers that fireworks can be dangerous if misused.

Last November KFRS saw a dramatic reduction in firework and bonfire related fires and injuries. Firework related incidents went from 27 in 2007 to 4 in 2008, a reduction of 85 per cent. Bonfire incidents went from 44 in 2007 to 20 in 2008, a reduction of 55 per cent.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service's Head of Community Safety, Stuart Skilton said: "This is a huge improvement and definitely a trend we want to see continue but we are urging people not to be complacent. People should bear in mind that a simple sparkler can burn up to a temperature of 2000 degrees centigrade, so they should NEVER be given to children under the age of five.

If you are having your own celebration use common sense and follow some simple safety tips to help you and your loved ones avoid injuries or damage to your property."

Kent Police are working closely with KFRS and other partner agencies to ensure that fireworks festivities pass by peacefully and safely. Insp Hibben who is responsible for co-ordinating the Police response during this period said 'Halloween and fireworks festivities are a time for children and families to enjoy themselves.

Kent Police will be increasing the number of officers on patrol during this period to ensure that the small minority within our communities, who decide to act anti-socially, are held to account for their actions.'

Firework safety tips:

• Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
• Only buy fireworks marked with British Standard Kitemark BS 7114.
• Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
• Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time.
• Always follow the instructions carefully when using them. Read them in daylight or by torchlight, never by a naked flame.
• Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
• Never go back to fireworks once they are lit. Even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode.
• Never throw fireworks and don't put them in your pocket.
• Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to children under five. Even when they have gone out they are still hot so put them in a bucket of water after use.
• Respect your neighbours - don't let off fireworks late at night.
• Keep your pets indoors throughout the evening with the curtains closed.

Bonfire safety tips:

• Never use flammable liquids to help start a bonfire and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries.
• Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences, hedges and overhanging branches.
• Keep bonfires to a manageable size and evenly built so that they collapse inwards as they burn.
• Always check the bonfire's construction is still sound prior to lighting it, that there are no children or animals inside and that hazardous items such as aerosols and fireworks have not been thrown onto it.
• Bonfires should be lit after the firework display unless positioned sufficiently far away to ensure stray sparks from the bonfire cannot fall into the firework area.
• Don't leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with water.
• Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of emergency.
• Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service are also reminding residents that all fireworks should be purchased from reputable suppliers only. It is an offence under firework legislation for anyone under 18 to possess fireworks in public places and an offence for anyone other than a firework professional to possess professional display fireworks.

It is illegal to set fireworks off between 11pm and 7am except in the following cases:

• 5 November - until midnight
• Diwali (17 October) - 1am on the following day
• New Year's Eve - 1am on the following day
• Chinese New Year - 1 am on the following day

Fire safety advice is free and easily obtainable from the Community Safety Team at Kent Fire & Rescue Service by calling on 01622 698360 or visit www.kent.fire-uk.org

For more information about fireworks and the firework code visit http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks