Derbyshire fire services urging people not to attempt their own bonfires
The Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service says the safest way to celebrate is to go to an organised event.
In Derbyshire, the Fire and Rescue Service has warned people of the dangers of lighting their own bonfires and setting off fireworks.
They are reminding people that often fireworks have different instructions, yet sometimes they are all used as if they are the same which can cause accidents. In addition, bonfires can also easily get out of hand, which is why fire services in the county are urging people to attend organised events instead.
The station manager Mick Wyldbore-Wood says it can also be more positive experience. He said:
"If people are doing fireworks themselves, they're not trained to deal with the dangerous explosives; essentially what a firework is, and very rarely do they understand that each firework is a pyrotechnic in its own right, and they each have individual instructions."
"They get a much bigger experience when they go to an organised fire, they tend to get more spectacular fireworks, a bigger bonfire, and an all-round better atmosphere for the celebrations really."
Rise in "nusiance calls" around this time
The fire services have also noted it is not only dangerous for the people on the site, but if nothing does go wrong can still mean the service get called out by people nearby who might not know if the fire is deliberate, and are concerned. Mick said:
"A member of the public might see something from the distance and think something's on fire, and what that means for the fire services is we have to send out our resources which should be used for real emergencies in the rest of the county really, only to find out it's actually someone doing a bonfire."
It will be the first bonfire event for most people since the lockdown, and services are saying that even with Covid rates going up, they are still better off getting out there to events where safety measures are in place. Mick added:
"Obviously there is an element of safety in removing yourself from large crowds, but what we do have to remember is we can all wear our masks, we can maintain a two-metre distance. Any firework displays are going to be held outside so it's all creating a safer environment really."