Have fun and stay safe for Halloween and Bonfire Night

It’s the time of year for spooky fun and fireworks and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has issued advice on how everyone can enjoy themselves in safety.

Halloween and Bonfire Night are events for fun and activities, but they can also be a time for some scary fire safety hazards.

The advice from SFRS is:

• Keep costumes away from candles and flames as they can be flammable. If clothing does catch fire, children should ‘Stop, drop and roll’ and this could be practiced with parents at home before the event
• Make sure you can be seen in dark. During both Halloween and Bonfire Night, use reflective tape and glowsticks to make yourself more visible, especially when near roads
• Consider using a battery-powered candle for your pumpkin for extra safety
• If using candles, ensure they are fully extinguished before you leave the house
• Ensure escape routes are kept clear of Halloween decorations
• Never return to a lit firework or throw them into bonfires
• Stand well back from fireworks and bonfires
• It is not recommended to give sparklers to children under five
• Always wear gloves when holding sparklers
• Hold sparklers at arm’s length, away from the face
• Always have a bucket of water or sand nearby to put the sparkler in, hot end down, once it has gone out
• Never throw a sparkler onto the floor

Organised fireworks displays are more fun and safer than hosting your own fireworks or bonfire party.

However, if you are planning on using fireworks for a private event please familiarise yourself with the Fireworks Safety Code to ensure you keep everyone safe.

Suffolk Trading Standards advise people to only buy fireworks from licensed or registered retailers and not from unknown sellers on social media sites, and to check labelling to ensure you have enough space to use them safely.

Halloween costumes for children should only be bought from a reputable retailer. Check the product for safety markings and look for a flame-resistant label.

Group Manager Lee Wilkins, SFRS head of Prevention, Community Engagement and Partnership Working, said:

“We want everyone to have a great time and enjoy all the activities of this time of year in safety.

“Taking a few simple precautions can help ensure Halloween and Bonfire Night remain fun and fire safe.”

Councillor Steve Wiles, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said:

“I hope everyone has a happy Halloween and Bonfire Night but, most importantly, a safe one.

“Items such as naked-flame candles and fireworks can have disastrous consequences if misused so please do follow the safety advice as it there to help you.”

For more information go to StayWise, which brings together the educational resources of the emergency services and other safety-focused organisations, or Spark, the SFRS safety education website.

Anyone with concerns about the safety of a product should report it to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.