As the darker nights draw in, we look forward to the festivities that greet us each year during autumn. One such event is Bonfire Night. All over the country, people don their cosy jackets and scarves, and head out to one of many fireworks shows taking place to celebrate Guy Fawkes’ failed attempt to blow up Parliament and assassinate King James I in 1605. But while you’re enjoying the beauty and spectacle of Bonfire Night, we want to draw your attention to some important risks that we face at this time of year.

Fireworks displays at home

If you are celebrating with sparklers and fireworks at home, limit the risk with these simple safety measures:

• Make sure to never keep fireworks in the house. Instead store them securely in a garage or garden shed in the boxes they were supplied in, or preferably, a metal container with a secure lid.
• Ensure sparklers are fully extinguished by putting the used ones into a bucket of water (or sand) and ensure they are fully cooled before disposing of them.
• Never light fireworks inside the property.
• Don’t attach fireworks to sheds or outbuildings.
• If you are lighting fireworks at home, make sure you know the cut-off point. You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for on Bonfire Night when the cut-off is midnight.[1]

While fire is a standard home insurance risk, your policy wording will tell you whether your garden and its contents would be covered if they were damaged by rogue fireworks.

Exercise bonfire safety

If you’re hosting a bonfire this autumn, it is essential that you only use safe materials. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service reported that one of the biggest risks on this night is the burning of toxic or explosive materials.[2]

Here are a few simple rules to follow to make your bonfire as safe as possible:

• Ensure you have enough space and build your bonfire clear of buildings, garden sheds, hedges and fences. If you are limited on space consider using a fire pit for example.
• Avoid using flammable materials to start a bonfire.
• Only burn dried materials on a bonfire such as paper or untreated wood, dry leaves and old plant cuttings. This will reduce smoke and the risk of flying sparks caused by the combustion of chemicals in preserved or painted wood.
• Never leave a lit bonfire unattended.
• Always keep a water source nearby.
• Check the weather – don’t light a bonfire on a windy night.
• Ensure visitors are kept a safe distance away from the bonfire.

The presence of explosives and fire, even with the most stringent health and safety procedures in place, means that something can always go wrong. That’s why it’s important to ensure that you’re protected against damages, liability claims, and more.

Anti-social behaviour and theft during Bonfire Night

Many communities see a rise in vandalism, burglaries and anti-social behaviours at this time of year. Using the cover of darkness, the noise of fireworks and the chance you may be out of the building, burglaries and anti-social behaviour tend to spike over Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Autumn 2023 witnessed violence taking place all over Britain. In Edinburgh, 50 youths threw petrol bombs and fireworks at riot police[3]. In London, four men were stabbed after a firework show[4], while in Stoke-on-Trent three were arrested after a crime spree including criminal damage and arson[5].

This terrifying trend is something we are sadly seeing more and more of in recent years. News reports in 2023 seemed to follow a similar theme to what we saw in 2022. Police being targeted with fireworks and missiles in Leeds, while Edinburgh saw Molotov cocktails being hurled at police vehicles[6].  In Salford, someone posted a firework through the letterbox of a home[7] and in Liverpool, two men were shot at a bonfire event[8].

In response to the rising crime during the period surrounding Halloween and Bonfire Night in particular, the Metropolitan Police launched a seasonal crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour. This campaign, named ‘Autumn Nights’, was launched in 2017 after the police were called 5,000 times a week during the festivities in 2016.[9]

Deter opportunist thieves and vandals, where possible, by following the recommendations by the police:

• Ensure your home is secure by locking doors and windows. If you want to be extra cautious ensure your letter box is also secured.
• Keep a light on to give the impression you’re in.
• Store combustible materials safely away from your home and clear away outside rubbish.
• Stay vigilant to dangerous behaviour and report suspicious activity to the police.
• Invest in CCTV and home security to monitor and discourage opportunists.

Sources:

[1] https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law#:~:text=The%20law%20says%20you%20must,the%20cut%20off%20is%201am

[2] https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/23089164.fire-chiefs-warn-halloween-bonfire-night-dangers/

[3] Bonfire Night violence in Niddrie and Glasgow was organised, say police - BBC News

[4] Bonfire Night horror as four people stabbed after firework show | The Independent

[5] Arrests after Stoke-on-Trent Bonfire Night crime spree - BBC News

[6] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/nov/06/police-across-uk-face-violence-and-anti-social-behaviour-on-bonfire-night

[7] Greater Manchester fire crews attend over 200 incidents on busy Bonfire Night - Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service

[8] https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/gunman-emerged-bushes-shot-two-25459139

[9] https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/15615048.met-police-launch-halloween-autumn-nights-crackdown/