What are the rules for bonfire night in North East Lincolnshire?
Humberside Fire and Rescue are urging the public not to have firework displays at home.
With public bonfire events cancelled this year, Humberside Fire and Rescue are urging the public not to have firework displays at home.
Group Manager Steve Duffield explained how 2020 will be different to previous years:
"This has been an unprecedented year in so many ways. It is usually a great time to attend a spectacular public display with family and friends, but Covid has sadly put paid to these events.
"Bonfire Night also now falls just as we are moving into lockdown, so the opportunities to attend parties at friends or neighbours have also been removed. We would therefore urge the public to be sensible and, if they are planning on a small family celebration at home, to follow all Covid related guidelines on social distancing and not mixing households and follow our safety tips.
"Please don't make Bonfire Night memorable for all the wrong reasons."
Paul Robson, a station manager in the public safety department of Humberside Fire and Rescue said:
"We don't want people lighting fires at home, if possible."
"A slight concern is, at this time of year we do get a lot of calls to private fires, and with the possibility that there aren't any arranged fires, this might encourage people to have fires at their home and we would strongly recommend they don't do this."
"There will be other celebrations in other years, but in order to maintain the safety of our community we would suggest they give it a miss this year, and make up for it in 2021"
"The impact would not only be on ourselves, but any injuries would have to be dealt with by an already stretched NHS service."
If you still decide to put on a firework display at home, remember to follow the safety guidance:
Bonfires
• Keep everyone at a safe distance from anything burning
• Always have anything burning on a safe surface away from the house, fences, sheds or trees etc.
• Always check bonfires for nesting animals and other wildlife before lighting
• Whoever is supervising the fire should not drink alcohol
• Never leave bonfires unattended
• Always have water or sand handy in case the fire becomes large
• If the fire becomes out of control, call 999 immediately. Do not try to tackle it yourself
Bonfire guidelines
• Only burn dry materials
• Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres, or anything containing plastic, foam or paint
• Items such as these should be taken to a council run waste facility
• Never use highly flammable liquids to light bonfires
• Never put aerosols or pressurised containers on a bonfire
Fireworks
• Keep everyone at a safe distance during celebrations
• If your clothes do catch fire STOP, DROP and ROLL
• Never leave fireworks unattended
• Keep fireworks in a metal box with a lid
• Use a torch to read instructions – never a candle or lighter!
• Use a taper to light fireworks
• Never go back to a firework once it has been lit
• Keep pets inside during bonfire and firework celebrations
• If using sparklers, always wear gloves