Bonfire Safety Tips
We don’t recommend having a bonfire in your garden. They can easily get out of hand and spread quickly to hedges, overhanging trees and garages, even to the house.
“Bonfires can be a fire risk so we’d always recommend looking for alternative ways to get rid of your waste,” said Emma Roberts, Head of Prevention at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.
“You could take it to a Household Waste & Recycling Centre, for example.”
If you do decide to have a bonfire, please follow our advice here:
- If you are having a bonfire discuss it with your neighbours beforehand.
- Build the bonfire away from sheds, fences and trees.
- Check there are no cables (for example telephone wires) above the bonfire.
- Always check that no children or animals are hiding in the bonfire before lighting.
- Don’t burn aerosols, batteries, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint – many produce toxic fumes and some containers may explode, causing injury.
- Don’t use petrol, paraffin, diesel, white spirit or methylated spirit to light the bonfire.
- Keep some buckets of water nearby in case of an emergency and to damp down after the event.
For advice specific to you and your home, complete your own home fire safety check.
Anyone who thinks they might qualify for a free Home Fire Safety Visit can call the HWFRS Prevention team on 0800 032 1155.
To book or refer someone for a Home Safety Visit, visit www.hwfire.org.uk