Bonfire Night safety warning for Norfolk
Follow the Firework Code
We're being urged to stay safe in Norfolk this Bonfire Night.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the usual organised displays have been cancelled and it's feared more of us will set of fireworks at home instead.
Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service has attended 345 calls to bonfires and fireworks over the past decade and say most were avoidable.
To help us to stay safe, they've issued this advice:
Bonfires should be sited well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences and trees
Don't use flammable materials such as petrol or paraffin to light them and don't burn dangerous rubbish such as aerosols or paint
Think about your neighbours and nearby pets who could be disturbed and upset.
And don't forget to check bonfires for sleeping hedgehogs before lighting.
In an emergency, call 999 quickly to stop a small fire becoming a big fire.
For more tips, check out the Firework Code.
It's not just the fire service who have concerns though, the RSPCA is worried for animals, fearing they'll have to endure more firework displays because of lockdown.
Every year, the animal charity receives hundreds of calls about fireworks affecting animals. Over the last four years, the animal welfare charity has received 1,543 calls about fireworks.
RSPCA animal welfare expert Dr Mark Kennedy said:
"We understand that people enjoy celebrating Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve and other key dates with fireworks and we don’t want to spoil the fun. Unfortunately, lockdown measures this year mean that very few organised, public displays are likely to go ahead and we suspect this means lots of families will be choosing to have their own displays at home. Due to the Rule of Six and the restrictions on households mixing, we fear that there will be lots of little displays taking place over weeks and weeks, spreading out fireworks noise and causing prolonged distress for animals.
"We’d urge people to be considerate and keep neighbours with animals, including those with nearby horses and other livestock, informed of plans well in advance so they can make preparations to reduce the stress to their animals."