Monday, 13 October 2008
Food Safety and Standards TeamThere are three other options to consider instead of having a garden bonfire. They are all more environmentally friendly and much less dangerous.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 it is an offence to cause a statutory nuisance and this includes nuisances that are created by bonfires. If a neighbour is having a regular bonfire and it is affecting your well being, comfort or enjoyment of your property then it will be considered as a nuisance. You can approach your neighbours to tell them about your concerns but if you feel you are unable to do this you can contact the Public Health Team on 01302 737573. In the worst-case scenarios, your neighbours can be fined up to £5000.
With any bonfire, it should be built at least 18 metres away from any building, trees or fences etc. They should be no more than 3 metres high and should not be built under power cables. To start a bonfire you should not use petrol or any other flammable liquid. Children and animals should be kept away from the bonfire at all times and before starting the bonfire you need to check it for children who could be making a den inside of it. The best advice to give you is to attend an organised bonfire event.
It is always best to plan ahead as organising bonfires and fire displays can be a lot of work. Maybe it would be best to set up a committee and then members can each take responsibility for a particular task. Make sure fire extinguishers, buckets of water, buckets of sand and metal litterbins are available throughout the night. First aid kits are a must as well. Ensure that you have plenty of torches available, all with new batteries. Make it known to spectators that they cannot fetch their own fireworks and that this includes sparklers. It is also best to check that you are insured to cover any firework related injuries.
The location should be large, clear from any obstructions and have well mown grass, along with as many safe entrances and exits as possible. You need to allow at least 50m x 20m for your firing area and beyond this you will need a dropping zone for used fireworks to land. This must be at least 100m x 50m and in the downwind direction. Spectators should stand at the opposite side to the dropping zone and at least 25 metres away from the firing zone.
It is always best to arrange for some stewards to patrol the area and make sure that everything and everyone is safe. Smoking should not be allowed near the bonfire. Designated smoking areas, away from the bonfire and any fireworks, would be safer. Always read the instructions carefully on the fireworks by using a torch and not matches or lighters. Make sure that the wind blows away from the spectators and that the display is also angled away from them.
There are no current legal restrictions on when you are allowed to buy fireworks. However there is a code of practise that states:
‘Fireworks should only to be sold for three weeks before 5th November and a few days afterwards, and for a similar period around New Year.’
It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. This comes under the Fireworks Safety Regultaion 1997. It is an offence to keep fireworks (apart from those for private use) on premises that have not been registered. If fireworks are been sued for private use, the individual can keep them for upto 14 days aslong as they are in a safe place. Throwing or setting off fireworks in the street is an offence. If caught, a fixed penalty of £80 will be issued. Police can now enforce a fixed penatly notice to anyone under 18 carrying a firework and for breach of the 11pm curfew on letting off fireworks. Fireworks are not permitted to be set off between 11pm and 7am. There are however extensions for the following festivals:
