Bonfire night and festive party season bring lots of fun and frolic, but it’s important to keep safety in mind when planning events involving fireworks and open flames.

Preventing accidental fires in businesses

Fires and accidental causes of fires from bonfires and fireworks can be devastating to businesses in Gloucestershire.

Beyond the financial hit, accidental fire can have lasting effects on staff safety, customer confidence and insurance – so it’s essential for business owners to implement effective fire prevention strategies.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s top tips for prevention include:

• Moving any rubbish away from the building — rubbish should ideally be kept in locked bins. If this is not possible, make sure the bins are emptied regularly. Check for fireworks near your business and empty bins beforehand.
• Illuminate isolated loading yards with security lighting to deter anti-social behaviour.
• Develop a vigilant workforce to support fire safety compliance and business security procedures – staff are a major business security asset.

Fire safety tips at night

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service advises people to always attend an organized event with lots amazing fireworks and bonfires are found throughout the countybut the most important staying safe tips to ‘remember, remember’ on Bonfire Night include:

• Only allow adults to handle fireworks and keep them in a sealed box until use.
• Light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
  
• Never return to a firework after it has been lit.
• Direct any rocket fireworks away from spectators.
  
• Do not put fireworks in your pockets and never throw them away.
  
• Never buy fireworks from unlicensed sellers.
  
• Keep buckets of water or a garden hose nearby in case of emergency.
• Keep children under constant supervision when using glitter and keep a bucket of sand to dispose of used glitter.
• Never use paraffin or gasoline on a campfire.
  
• Do not build fires under trees or near bushes.
• Keep a distance of five meters from the campfire once lit.
• Pour water on the embers and mmake sure the fire is out and the surroundings are safe before leaving.

For more information visit the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service website at gloucestershire.gov.uk/glosfire.