Over the last ten years, the county's fire service has been called out to 238 incidents on Guy Fawkes Night.

Of these callouts, 75 were fires and 44 were non-fire incidents needing help. 

Two of the incidents were attributed to fireworks and 119 were false alarms with fire crews being deployed when they could have been needed more urgently elsewhere.

With November 5 proving to be such a busy time of year, HWFRS urge people to attend organised events instead of holding their own bonfires.

Emma Roberts, head of prevention at Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service:  “We encourage people to go to an organised event with their families and friends, as this is by far the safest option.

“But for those people holding their own bonfire parties and get-togethers, we want to remind them of some simple firework and bonfire safety tips to help avoid injury or any damage to their property."                                                        

HWFRS has released the do's and don't's of holding your own bonfire or firework display at home:

DO

  • plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable
  • only buy fireworks marked with British Standard Kitemark BS 7114, and from a reputable supplier
  • keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time
  • always follow the instructions on the box carefully 
  • light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
  • keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
  • always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to children under 5
  • carefully put fireworks in a bucket of water after use – they’ll still be hot
  • respect your neighbours – don’t let off fireworks late at night
  • keep your pets indoors all evening with the curtains closed

DON'T

  • don’t drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks 
  • light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
  • never go back to fireworks once they are lit – they might still go off or even explode
  • never throw fireworks and don’t put them in your pocket

Bonfire safety tips:

  • consider whether your garden is actually big enough for a safe bonfire – if in doubt, don’t!
  • never use flammable liquids to help start a bonfire
  • build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences, hedges and overhanging branches
  • keep it to a manageable size and evenly built so it collapses inwards as it burns
  • always check the bonfire’s construction is still sound before lighting it
  • bonfires should be lit after the firework display - unless sufficiently far away to ensure stray bonfire sparks cannot fall into among the fireworks
  • never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries – they could explode
  • don’t leave bonfires unattended
  • always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of emergency