Merseyside Fire & Rescue: Don’t let the fun backfire this autumn

Carving pumpkins and lighting up the sky with fireworks may be an exciting way to spend the autumn months but it can also be extremely dangerous. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) to give you some handy pointers on how to keep you and your family safe this Halloween and Bonfire night.

Whether you’re holding your own Halloween and fireworks event or are attending a public display, it’s important to stay safe. Sticking to a few simple rules will ensure everyone has a great time this autumn, without the risk of someone getting hurt.

 

Remember this Halloween for the right reasons

In the build up to Halloween, think about ways to have fun with the family without compromising on safety. Simple changes like swapping ordinary candles and tea lights for LED battery-operated ones can be the difference between a night of fun and a night of disaster.

Loose clothing can very easily catch fire when lighting pumpkins using candles and matches. But using LED battery-operated candles means you can still show off your creative carvings without the risk of burns and fires.

 

Bonfire Night 

Bonfire night is fun for all the family but last year (between 19th October and 7th November), Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service was called out to 392 incidents – 105 of which were specifically bonfires. And on the 5th November, MFRS attended 60 anti-social behaviour fire incidents and a further 51 on the 6th November.

When MFRS crews are called to deliberate fires involving bonfires, wheelie bins and rubbish, it means they can be delayed to attending genuine emergencies.

You can help reduce the number of such incidents by NEVER giving combustible materials to anyone, especially young people. Make sure your wheelie bin is not accessible to others and ensure any flammable material is kept out of sight.

REMEMBER: Wheelie bins can become easy targets over the Halloween and bonfire period. Please only put your bin out on the day of collection, and bring it back in immediately.

www.merseyfire.gov.uk