Remember - be safe on Bonfire night

Release date: 22.10.07
Ref: BBC/PR/ENV/36/07

Bonfire night is almost upon us and to help you stay safe Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council and the Borough Safety Advisory Group have put together some dos and don’ts leading up to the big night.

Dumping, as can happen on bonfires, is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and offenders are liable to prosecution.

If you are planning a bonfire remember:
• All commercial waste should be disposed of via a proper authorised waste collector.
• Household waste including old beds, sofas, etc can be disposed of free at the Waste Transfer Station, Berwick or at the Civic Amenity Sites at Wooler and Seahouses.
• Alternatively the Council will remove the waste for a minimum fee of £15.80.

When building a bonfire remember the following:
• Make sure you have permission from the landowner if necessary.
• Where you organise an event and invite members of the public, you should have public liability insurance.
• You should carry out a risk assessment to help you identify and control the hazards.
• The fire should only be built on the day to reduce the chance of wildlife talking shelter or people putting items on the fire which might explode or cause dangerous fumes.
• Fires should be well away from buildings so not to be a nuisance to other people. If it might be a danger the fire will be removed.
• You should inform the fire station of the location of the fire, who is responsible and when it will be lit, call 01289 330753.
• Remember to have some buckets of water or other means available for dealing with the spread of fire.
• Always ensure that the fire is out before leaving it.
• Take care when using fireworks and sparklers. Many people forget that fireworks are not the only danger; sparklers too can cause severe burns.
• Always buy fireworks from a reputable supplier, make sure a responsible adult is in charge and follow the firework code.

Any bonfire built on Council owned land without the Council’s permission will be removed. Permission will only be given if the organisers have carried out a suitable risk assessment, have all the hazards under control and have public liability insurance.

Further advice is available from Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council by calling Environmental Health on 01289 301734 or the Safety Advisory Group on 01289 301716. Alternatively call Berwick Fire Station on 01289 330753.