With this year’s Sparks at the Park (held by Alloa Round Table) cancelled due to restrictions, etc. the people of Alloa need another way to celebrate! A lot of you will be celebrating at your home, or maybe with friends. But we all need to keep safe, and our pets too.
Throwing fireworks or setting them off in a public place (anywhere other than your own garden) and Modifying, tampering or misusing fireworks is illegal. You are not to use fireworks between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am (except on 5 November when the time extends to midnight.)
The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use fireworks at home. They may be legal, but they are not safe. (Category 2 and 3 fireworks are allowed to be used in a home environment, with category 4 to be used by professionals only.)
Remember, each firework has its own set of hazards and own instructions. Make sure you read the guidelines carefully. If a firework doesn’t go off, don’t be tempted to go and see what has gone wrong, as it could still explode.
Light the firework at arm’s length and stand well back. Keep naked flames, (including cigarettes) away from fireworks. Never return to a firework once it has been lit. Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them. Rain on fireworks night isn’t ideal, but it’s not the end of the world. You can waterproof fireworks with bin bags or cling film. As long as you keep the fuse dry, it’ll be fine.
While rain isn’t a major issue, wind can be. You have to consider the strength of the wind and its direction. If the wind’s blowing in the direction of those watching, then you’ve got a serious problem. Don’t risk firework debris getting swept towards your friends and family.
It’s not just children’s dressing up clothes that can be a fire hazard. Scarves, tracksuits and long coats can also put people in unnecessary danger around candles and bonfires, especially in the cold winter weather.
Although it’s unlikely that someone will catch alight; it’s always good to remember: STOP (don’t run), DROP (to the ground), and ROLL (to put out the flame).
