Bonfire Safety

Be safe not sorry!

Local residents are being asked to report any unattended and illegal bonfire sites on public ground to Carlisle Multi Agency Problem Solving unit (MAPS) on 01228 817362. Cumbria Constabulary, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Carlisle City Council is joining forces, to clear up any illegal sites, as part of a zero tolerance approach.

Police will also be upping their patrols over the fireworks period in a bid to catch anyone found mishandling fireworks. It is an offence for children under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in public and for anyone of any age to set off fireworks in the street.

Simple firework safety advice for adults:

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.
• Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box.
• Follow the instructions on each firework.
• Light them at arm's length, using a taper.
• Stand well back.
• Never go near a firework that has been lit.
• Even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
• Always supervise children around fireworks.
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
• Never give sparklers to a child under five.
• Keep pets indoors.
• Don't set off noisy fireworks late at night and never after 11pm

Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service are also advising residents not to build bonfires. If people do build, bonfires make sure they are not built too close to buildings, roads or railways and never put foam filled-furniture, tyres or aerosols onto a bonfire. If people are having controlled bonfires please advise Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service control room Tel 01900 822 503 or your local fire station before hand to avoid fire engines being called to controlled fires. Fire fighters however urge residents to attend organised bonfires where safety is a priority.

Mary Robinson Chair of Carlisle & Eden CDRP said:

Fireworks and bonfires are extremely dangerous, especially when they are not organised or handled properly. There have been many publicised events of people and children being injured, severely burned, or worse killed at unofficial bonfire sites over the years. We want to ensure that no one in Carlisle and Eden suffers such injuries this year and to do this we need the help of the public. Our message is go to an organised official display and report any debris you spot.

Cllr Judy Prest portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing said:

By working in partnership with the key emergency services of Cumbria Constabulary and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, we are aiming to cut down on the amount of injuries caused this year by fireworks and bonfires. The best way to do this is to prevent these dangerous unofficial bonfires. We need the whole community's support with this, and ask anyone that sees any of these potential bonfire sites on public ground to call the council to get the sites cleared up.