Issued on: Monday 4 November 2019
Celebrate Safely this Bonfire Night
As part of the Celebrate Safely campaign, residents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being urged to keep safe this bonfire night period, while also making the most of the seasonal celebrations.
Celebrate Safely involves Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, Leicestershire Police, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Rutland County Council and the district and borough councils.
It provides useful safety tips and advice from all the services involved during the many celebrations and events taking place at this time of the year.
During the bonfire night period, they are asking everyone to celebrate safely by attending an organised event, but if you are celebrating at home, there is some vital safety advice people are being urged to follow.
Wayne Gale, Station Manager at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We want the public to enjoy what promises to be a fun time of year with family and friends across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, however we want everyone to do this safely.
“If possible, people should attend an organised event, which are usually bigger and more spectacular, but also a lot safer for all involved.
“If you do plan to have a bonfire and fireworks in your garden, please follow our guidance which can be found on our website by visiting celebratesafely.com
“I also want to highlight that it is illegal to set off fireworks and sparklers in public places or streets and to possess a firework if you’re under 18. The penalties if caught breaking these laws include a maximum fine of £5,000 or 6 months imprison, or both for firework misuse.”
The campaign reminds people of the following safety advice during bonfire night:
- When building a bonfire, it is advised to not build it close to trees, hedges, fences or buildings
- Keep everyone at a safe distance from fireworks and bonfires and have water or a hose ready
- Only buy fireworks from a legitimate retailer and check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of the garden and conform to British Standard BS 7114.
For more tips on how to celebrate safely this Bonfire Night, visit: www.celebratesafely.com.
Anyone who wants to report antisocial behaviour in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland around this period can call Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Interviews can be arranged through prior arrangement with Corporate Communications on the details below.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
During 2018/19, the Service attended 762 road traffic collisions, of which 125 were extrications from vehicles, in addition to 2,569 fires. We carried out 6,746 home safety checks and fitted 4,790 smoke alarms. 279 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to pupils. Staff organised or took part in 1,068 community safety events, promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, and 134 Virtual Fatal Four (VF4) events as part of the Service’s young drivers’ road safety project.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire-related incidents have reduced by over 30 percent.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
Direct: 0116 210 5592
corporate.communications@leics-fire.gov
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