Information on Loughborough

Loughborough shoppers to benefit from Bonfire Night Advice

Posted on 03/11/09
newsdesk

Information about being safe on Bonfire Night will be available for shoppers who visit Loughborough town centre on Wednesday.

Charnwood Borough Councils Anti-social Behaviour Team have teamed up with Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service to issue advice and helpful tips to the public.

A special trailer will be set up between 11am and 3pm in the Market Place so people can drop by and chat to officers and pick up leaflets.

The initiative follows a similar one which took place last Wednesday where the Anti-social Behaviour Team offered advice to Loughborough shoppers about being safe during Halloween.

Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Charnwood Borough Council David Snartt said: Bonfire Night is an exciting time of year, but there are some potential dangers. We want people to enjoy themselves and be safe at the same time.

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If you have any concerns, please drop by and have a chat with the officers on Wednesday who will be more than happy to help.

The Fire Service recommends that the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend an organised event, however if you are planning to use fireworks as part of your celebrations, you should

follow these safety steps:

Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114 (this is the British Standard that all fireworks should meet)

Dont drink alcohol if youre setting off fireworks

Store fireworks in a closed, metal box and take them out one at a time

Keep a bucket of water nearby

Follow the instructions on each firework read them by torchlight, never by a naked flame

Light fireworks at arms length, using the taper provided

Make sure everyone stands well back

Never go back to a firework that has been lit - even if it hasnt gone off it could still explode

Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them

Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under five

Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves

Keep pets indoors

Dont set off fireworks late at night

Take care around open flames such as bonfires and barbecues - all clothes, even those labelled low flammability, can catch fire.

If you misuse fireworks, you may be liable for an on-the-spot fine of 80. If you are found guilty by the courts, you could be fined up to 5,000.

If you are under 18, or have family members who are under 18, you/they can't:

Buy the types of fireworks which can be sold only to adults or have them in public places - including sparklers

Set off fireworks in the street or other public places

Set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am except on the days listed below

Cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals (the penalty on conviction is either imprisonment up to 51 weeks, or a fine of up to 20,000, or both.

You can let off fireworks until midnight on Bonfire Night and until 1am on New Years Day, Chinese New Year or Diwali.

If you are using fireworks you will need to be aware of your neighbours and ensure that you do not cause a nuisance.

If you experience anyone in your community misusing fireworks or acting in an anti-social manner, please report this to Leicestershire Police on 0116 2222222 or the Councils Anti-social Behaviour Team - during office hours on 01509 634920 out of office hours on 01509 634550.