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Across the UK the skies will be lit up by firework displays to mark Bonfire Night (Wednesday 5 November).
Ecclesiastical Insurance is urging people planning to host fireworks displays to make sure they have steps in place to ensure their events can take place safely and without risk to the public or their property.
“For many people going to a public fireworks display is a highlight at this time of year. We’d encourage people to visit organised events wherever possible rather than hosting their own event.
Not only will the display be more spectacular, but there is less risk to you, other people or property. All event organisers have a responsibility to ensure their events can take place safely and without risk to the public. We’ve developed helpful risk management resources for organisers planning to light their own fireworks and have a bonfire.”
Risk Management Guidance
The guidance from Ecclesiastical’s risk management team includes:
- Look after the fireworks properly before the display, storing them in their packaging in a secure, cool, dry place where there are no naked flames or other sources of ignition and no highly flammable substances.
- Transport them safely on the day of the display.
- Store them safely at the display site before use, e.g. in a building or a closed metal or wooden container located in an area of the site not accessible to the public.
- Set them up in accordance with the detailed instructions provided by the manufacturer or supplier, in a timely manner and in the designated firing area.
- Ensure there are an adequate number of competent firers, preparing a firing plan if there are two or more of them.
- Only allow firers in the firing area, checking that they are wearing suitable clothing.
- Provide firers with a suitable means of communication and other necessary equipment (e.g. goggles, gloves, hearing protection, electric torch, whistle etc.).
- Set the fireworks off as recommended by the manufacturers’ or suppliers’ instructions.
- Ensure that if any fireworks fail to go off properly, they are dealt with safely.
Lighting a bonfire
If planning to light a bonfire, there are other steps to take including:
- Make one person responsible for it, from early planning to final clearing up.
- Correctly site the fire, locating it a safe distance from other areas, buildings, roads, railways and public rights of way; a safe distance from flammable or otherwise dangerous materials (e.g. petrol, fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas), overhead electric power lines; and downwind of spectators.
- Prohibit the burning of dangerous rubbish (e.g. aerosols, rubber, paint tins, pressurised gas cylinders or foam-filled furniture etc.). Materials producing light ash which could blow about, such as corrugated cardboard, are unsuitable for burning. l Remove rubbish and other combustibles from the bonfire area in advance.
- Only allow the responsible person and designated helpers into the bonfire area. They should wear suitable clothing and know what to do in the event of an emergency.
- Immediately before lighting, check that the fire is stable and that there are no children or animals hidden inside.
- Ensure there is a safe procedure for lighting the fire and those responsible know not to use flammable liquids (e.g. paraffin, petrol) to get it going or put fireworks onto it, even if they’re dud.
Ecclesiastical risk teams are on hand to provide customers with guidance on hosting events and can be contacted on 0345 600 7531, Monday to Friday 9-5pm.
Read more about managing the risk of bonfires and firework displays.