Don’t get a scare, be Halloween and Bonfire aware!

Be scary but safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night by following fire safety advice.

It’s the time of year for the spooky celebrations and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) are sharing tips in the lead up to two of the biggest nights in the Autumnal calendar.

These two dates are renowned for big events, large groups of people being outside and lots of fun. To make sure these events continue to be a highlight during the darkest and coldest months of the year, take in mind these top tips:

Halloween

• Plastic capes and bin liners are often used as costumes – keep them away from candles or other naked flames
• Use battery operated lights within homemade lanterns and pumpkins. Battery operated lights are much safer than candles
• Take extra care with candles – they are extremely hazardous. Make sure they are extinguished properly before leaving the house or going to bed and are out of reach from children
• Buy fancy dress costumes from reputable retailers. Dressing up costumes are currently classed as toys under British Toy Safety Regulations, meaning they are less fire resistant than children’s nightclothes and assume a child is able to move away from or drop a burning toy.
• Costumes should comply with EN71 – a European-wide standard, which tests for flammability. It should also have a CE mark, which means the product complies with European health and safety requirements. Check costumes are labelled as flame-resistant
• In an emergency, cool any burns with water and call 999
• Respect the wishes of people who don’t wish to take part in trick or treating and look out for vulnerable family and neighbours who may be on their own
• Keep to pavements and cross roads carefully when trick or treating
• Motorists should watch out for children walking on roadways and curbs, and enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully

If clothing does catch on fire remember to ‘stop, drop and roll’. And remember you can always call 999 and ask for the fire service if it is an emergency.

Bonfire Night

• Only buy fireworks from a reputable shop and ensure they are CE marked. Keep them in a closed metal box and ensure you follow the instructions carefully
• Place fireworks on a stable surface and light at arm’s length using a taper, stand well back and never throw nor go back to a lit firework
• Do not burn household rubbish or white goods on a bonfire. Keep your bonfire within a cordon area away from fireworks, people, property and trees and never light using flammable liquid. Check for animals hiding before lighting
• Keep pets indoors and ensure children are safe and a good distance away from the fireworks
• Pour water on bonfire embers to ensure it is fully extinguished before leaving or going to bed
• If using sparklers ensure they are held in a  gloved hand at arm’s length and there is a bucket of water to put them in once the sparkler is out

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service will be hosting their annual fireworks display and bonfire on Monday, November 5^th at their Training Centre on West Way, Euxton, PR7 6DH.

The event has been a huge success in the past and has provided a safe environment for people to watch a fantastic fireworks display. The event runs a ‘pay on the gate’ policy (cash only) with the money being split between The Firefighter’s Charity, Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s ward at Chorley and South Ribble District Hospital and Age UK Lancashire.