Stay safe on Bonfire Night 2020

With no public firework displays taking place on Bonfire Night this year as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, residents of Bridgend County Borough are being urged to make sure they can enjoy the evening safely from their own homes by following some basic rules.

In order to reduce pressures upon emergency services during the pandemic, householders are being asked to avoid lighting bonfires of any kind.

All garden firework displays should be planned and managed by a responsible adult using legal fireworks obtained from a licensed seller, and pets must be kept indoors. Make sure each firework is directed away from onlookers, and never hold or throw a lit firework.

Always ignite them from a safe distance using a taper, never return to a lit firework, and keep a bucket of sand nearby which can be used to extinguish it if necessary.

Store fireworks inside a closed box and use them one at a time. Read and follow all instructions using a torch, and keep cigarettes and other naked flames away.

Always make sure that all fires are fully extinguished and that surroundings are safe before going back indoors. Remember that smoke affects people with asthma and other respiratory diseases including those who may be at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and that no fireworks are allowed after 11pm.

The global pandemic is putting a huge strain on services, and we are asking residents not to add to this on Bonfire Night by taking additional risks which could end badly, and which could draw resources away from other life-threatening situations.

Last year, South Wales Fire and Rescue had to respond to more than 150 deliberate fires between 23 October and 6 November, so please make sure you celebrate 5 November safely – don’t put your family in jeopardy, follow the pandemic rules, and please be considerate of neighbours who may have animals or be self-isolating.

Council Leader Huw David

You can find out more about how to celebrate safely by visiting the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service website.