Fire is a risk with fireworks but there are plenty of ways to avoid it
If you’re planning a New Year’s Eve party with fireworks and sparklers, it’s important you are safety-conscious as well as MoneySaving.
For Bonfire Night 2014 we ran a Fire Safety Twitter Q&A with the Manchester Fire and Rescue Service using the #bonfirenight hashtag. One key point made by the fire team was that shoppers should make sure they buy legal fireworks that have been produced to British Standards.
They provided this video showing the dangers posed by illegal fireworks.
Read the questions and answers below before you start your New Year’s Eve party to make sure you’re as safe as houses.
Q: @MSE_Forum: If you’ve bought fireworks but realised they don’t have the ‘safe’ marks what should you do?
A: @manchesterfire: Return them to the shop where you bought them or call your local fire service and ask them to dispose of them for you.
Q: @MSE_Forum: What safety precautions should you take if you’re having your own fireworks party?
A: @manchesterfire: Prepare for the party in advance and in daylight. On the night you will need a torch, a bucket of water, eye protection and gloves.
Q: @MSE_Forum: Where should you keep fireworks when you’re not using them?
A: @manchesterfire: Keep fireworks in a closed metal box when not being used.
Q: @MSE_Forum: Are sparklers safe?
A: @manchesterfire: Yes as long as you light them one at a time and wear gloves. Never give sparklers to a child under the age of five.
Q: @MSE_Forum: How old do you have to be to have fireworks in a public place?
A: @manchesterfire: It’s illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.
Q: @MSE_Forum: What time do the fireworks have to stop?
A: @manchesterfire: It’s illegal to let fireworks off between 11pm and 7am except on Bonfire Night (midnight),Diwali, New Year and Chinese New Year.
Q: @MSE_Forum: What’s the best way to dispose of fireworks safely? A: @manchesterfire: Contact your local fire service. If you’re in Greater Manchester you can call us and we’ll pick them up.
Are you having a fireworks party for New Year? Discuss this blog and more on the forum.
