Firework safety
Residents are being reminded to take safety seriously if planning a back garden fireworks display this year.
Fireworks are on sale between now and until 14 November which incorporates the celebrations of Bonfire Night and Diwali.
The council is also making residents aware of the possibility of fireworks being let off over three weekends due to Bonfire Night falling between two weekends, and to take precautions for their animals.
Many charity and organised displays have been cancelled this year due to coronavirus concerns and the sales of smaller sets for garden displays are expected to increase.
Safety is paramount and fireworks should only be purchased from licensed shops and must display the CE quality mark. Distance guidelines on the box should be observed for the safety of people and property as well as not lighting fireworks with a naked flame or while being held.
Sparklers should only be given to children aged five years and over while they are wearing gloves and supervised at all times. When the sparklers fizzle out the white-hot sticks should be disposed of in a bucket of cold water.
Fireworks are permitted to be set off up until midnight on 5 November, Bonfire Night, and until 1am on 14 November, Diwali. Every other night fireworks are only permitted to be let off until 11pm.
If fireworks are let off after these cut off times it is a police matter and residents can contact Thames Valley Police on the non-emergency number, 101.
Residents are also reminded to look for animals which have made their homes in piles of wood intended to be set alight as bonfires as part of celebrations.
Fireworks and bonfires are not permitted in any of the council’s open spaces and parks.
People are also reminded of the need to adhere to the Tier two Covid-19 restrictions during celebrations which includes not mixing households indoors and only mixing with a total of six people outside. The total of six includes children of any age and even when outside, households should maintain social distancing.
Russell Denney-Clarke, interim trading standards manager, said: “If people feel they have to have fireworks this year there is lots of safety advice residents need to take into consideration.
“When people go to organised displays they forget how much safety and care goes into them and as many have been cancelled, these safety guidelines need to be followed by residents in their own gardens.
“Ultimately, fireworks are tubes of explosives which can cause property damage, serious or life changing injuries and even death, when not given the respect they deserve.
“Please also be mindful of others and residents with pets, not only those indoors like dogs and cats, but horses in fields and wildlife all of which can be terrified of the loud bangs and flashes of light.”
The RSCPA has lots of advice and tips on how to calm pets during firework season here - https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks.
Fireworks are legal in the UK.
Fireworks are on sale between now and until 14 November which incorporates the celebrations of Bonfire Night and Diwali.
The council is also making residents aware of the possibility of fireworks being let off over three weekends due to Bonfire Night falling between two weekends, and to take precautions for their animals.
Many charity and organised displays have been cancelled this year due to coronavirus concerns and the sales of smaller sets for garden displays are expected to increase.
Safety is paramount and fireworks should only be purchased from licensed shops and must display the CE quality mark. Distance guidelines on the box should be observed for the safety of people and property as well as not lighting fireworks with a naked flame or while being held.
Sparklers should only be given to children aged five years and over while they are wearing gloves and supervised at all times. When the sparklers fizzle out the white-hot sticks should be disposed of in a bucket of cold water.
Fireworks are permitted to be set off up until midnight on 5 November, Bonfire Night, and until 1am on 14 November, Diwali. Every other night fireworks are only permitted to be let off until 11pm.
If fireworks are let off after these cut off times it is a police matter and residents can contact Thames Valley Police on the non-emergency number, 101.
Residents are also reminded to look for animals which have made their homes in piles of wood intended to be set alight as bonfires as part of celebrations.
Fireworks and bonfires are not permitted in any of the council’s open spaces and parks.
People are also reminded of the need to adhere to the Tier two Covid-19 restrictions during celebrations which includes not mixing households indoors and only mixing with a total of six people outside. The total of six includes children of any age and even when outside, households should maintain social distancing.
Russell Denney-Clarke, interim trading standards manager, said: “If people feel they have to have fireworks this year there is lots of safety advice residents need to take into consideration.
“When people go to organised displays they forget how much safety and care goes into them and as many have been cancelled, these safety guidelines need to be followed by residents in their own gardens.
“Ultimately, fireworks are tubes of explosives which can cause property damage, serious or life changing injuries and even death, when not given the respect they deserve.
“Please also be mindful of others and residents with pets, not only those indoors like dogs and cats, but horses in fields and wildlife all of which can be terrified of the loud bangs and flashes of light.”
The RSCPA has lots of advice and tips on how to calm pets during firework season here - https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks.
Fireworks are legal in the UK.
