Bonfires during lockdown
The council is urging residents who are lighting bonfires in their garden to reconsider for the sake of the entire community during the coronavirus public health crisis.
Bonfires continue to be lit against advice leading to a significant increase in reports to the council about unnecessary burning. This is causing a nuisance and has potential health consequences, especially to those battling coronavirus.
As a result, neighbourhood enforcement officers could now visit residents burning waste after a complaint and will consider serving abatement notices.
There are a number of reasons why bonfires create a greater health and safety risk during this public health emergency and the council is advising residents to hold onto their waste until the lockdown is relaxed.
The main risk is the smoke and toxic fumes created by any bonfire which could significantly affect neighbours who are suffering from, or convalescing from, the deadly virus.
Coronavirus specifically attacks the lungs, reducing capacity for the oxygen necessary for the body to function and therefore any additional element which makes it harder to breathe is threatening to someone’s health.
Those who are isolating or shielding others are also inconvenienced and left stressed with the smell from a bonfire in their homes and being forced to close windows and doors.
In addition, the warm spring weather has left gardens dry creating a fire risk where bonfires can easily get out of control and spread to fences, sheds, and homes. Bonfires are also not without personal risk of people getting burns and therefore bonfire accidents can put additional pressure on NHS services.
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “We are urging residents to think twice about lighting a fire in their gardens as this horrid illness particularly affects the lungs, and smoke from a bonfire can aggravate it.
“People who have spent their time usefully clearing out garages, attics and sheds, or tidying gardens can keep their waste until Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre reopens.
“Our advice is to store waste and use our green bin service, until it can be taken to Chalvey HWRC.”
The council’s doorstep collections continue as per the normal schedule with weekly waste and recycling collections and fortnightly green collections of garden waste. Green bins can be ordered and will be delivered during this period by contacting us on 01753 475111 and choosing option 4.
If residents have a neighbour causing a nuisance by having a bonfire please contact us on 01753 475111 with as many details as possible.
Bonfires continue to be lit against advice leading to a significant increase in reports to the council about unnecessary burning. This is causing a nuisance and has potential health consequences, especially to those battling coronavirus.
As a result, neighbourhood enforcement officers could now visit residents burning waste after a complaint and will consider serving abatement notices.
There are a number of reasons why bonfires create a greater health and safety risk during this public health emergency and the council is advising residents to hold onto their waste until the lockdown is relaxed.
The main risk is the smoke and toxic fumes created by any bonfire which could significantly affect neighbours who are suffering from, or convalescing from, the deadly virus.
Coronavirus specifically attacks the lungs, reducing capacity for the oxygen necessary for the body to function and therefore any additional element which makes it harder to breathe is threatening to someone’s health.
Those who are isolating or shielding others are also inconvenienced and left stressed with the smell from a bonfire in their homes and being forced to close windows and doors.
In addition, the warm spring weather has left gardens dry creating a fire risk where bonfires can easily get out of control and spread to fences, sheds, and homes. Bonfires are also not without personal risk of people getting burns and therefore bonfire accidents can put additional pressure on NHS services.
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “We are urging residents to think twice about lighting a fire in their gardens as this horrid illness particularly affects the lungs, and smoke from a bonfire can aggravate it.
“People who have spent their time usefully clearing out garages, attics and sheds, or tidying gardens can keep their waste until Chalvey Household Waste and Recycling Centre reopens.
“Our advice is to store waste and use our green bin service, until it can be taken to Chalvey HWRC.”
The council’s doorstep collections continue as per the normal schedule with weekly waste and recycling collections and fortnightly green collections of garden waste. Green bins can be ordered and will be delivered during this period by contacting us on 01753 475111 and choosing option 4.
If residents have a neighbour causing a nuisance by having a bonfire please contact us on 01753 475111 with as many details as possible.
