Fire service issues Bonfire Night advice

Keep bonfires small and manageable and build them away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and bushes.

Never use flammable liquids – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire.

Keep everyone away from the fire – especially children – and keep pets indoors.

Avoid drinking alcohol whilst in charge of a bonfire or fireworks and particularly when supervising children.

In case of an emergency, keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready.

Make sure your fireworks conform to British Standards BS 7114, EN 14035 or EN 15947.

Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.

Light the firework at arms length using a taper or fuse wick and stand well back - never return to a firework once it has been lit.

Fireworks cannot be bought by anyone under the age of 18 and you can be fined or imprisoned for using them illegally.

Only children over the age of five are allowed to use sparklers and should be supervised by an adult at all times.

WYFRS Calderdale District Prevention Manager Robin Ward, pictured, said: “Calderdale district stations are visiting all schools in the area to deliver the fireworks safety message. We are also working closely with Calderdale Council to reduce the bonfire risk by reporting refuse and bonfire fire loading on wasteland for Calderdale Street Care to remove over the bonfire period. In addition to this the Safer, Cleaner, Greener partnerships are holding walkabouts in some of the higher risk areas in Calderdale to send out the safety message before Bonfire Night.”

For further advice, visit www.westyorksfire.gov.uk.