fireworks
Stay safe this Autumn
Autumn has arrived and with it the
celebration of both Halloween and Bonfire Night. This is one
of our busiest times of year as, unfortunately, the behaviour of a
minority of people can sometimes spoil the fun for everyone else.
Your Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to work with
communities to tackle anti-social behaviour. You will see more
officers on patrol during this busy period.
We are also working with partners and communities to take
illegal fireworks off the streets and we would encourage you to
attend one of the many organised bonfire and firework displays
available.
Keeping your property safe
Take these simple steps to keep your house or car safe during
Halloween and bonfire night:
- Lock away any building materials if you're having work
done
- If you have a wheelie bin, avoid leaving it visible at the
front
- Mention this advice to your neighbours, especially elderly or
vulnerable people
Help us to help you
- Some of the problems experienced can be avoided by taking small
steps to discourage and minimise possible damage:
- If you have wheelie bins, make sure they are locked away -
don't leave them in the open where they can be attacked by
fireworks
- If you are having building work done, lock all materials away,
particularly those that could be thrown at houses, cars or
people
- Keep pets indoors so they won't get hurt or frightened
- Mention this advice to neighbours, especially elderly or
vulnerable people
- Look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours, particularly on
key evenings, as they may need extra reassurance. Perhaps if they
are concerned, you could offer to sit with them.
- If you are a parent, there are several things you can do to
help keep your children out of trouble:
- Take them to an organised firework display or other activities
over the festive period
- Encourage them to look at the autumn fun activities on this
website for a list of activities and events going on in your
area
- Don't let them play with fireworks - it is not only dangerous,
but also illegal
- Don't let them take anything out of the house that could be
thrown at people or homes i.e. eggs, flour, paint.
- Explain the consequences of any such actions to your children -
what they consider to be harmless fun can frighten other
people
- Ask them to think how they would feel if someone was throwing
things at their elderly relative's home
If your children are going out (particularly on 30 & 31
October), make sure you know where they are going. If possible,
drop them off and pick them up from their activity. If not, agree
with them before they go out what time they should be home.
A quick guide to staying safe over the Halloween and fireworks
season
- Follow the Firework code above
- Only go to properly organised displays
- Keep away from bonfires
- Do not throw discarded fireworks onto bonfires. Some spent
fireworks still have powder left in them and other fireworks that
have not gone off still contain all their explosives.
- When lighting fireworks make sure you wear the right clothing.
Do not wear open-neck T-shirts, shirts or shorts that expose bare
skin to the danger of fireworks. Tuck scarves in, rather than
letting them trail, so they don't catch alight.
- Keep pets indoors