As Halloween and Bonfire Night approach, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) is preparing for a busy time, aiming to make South Wales safer by reducing risk during this hazardous period.
Between October and November 2022, SWFRS saw the number of incidents they were called to attend due to fireworks doubled from the previous year. The risks around bonfires and fireworks are well known, and the Service promotes its key messages around safety and wellbeing every year in partnership with South Wales Police and Gwent Police. This year, the prevailing message is to “stay alert, don’t get hurt” during the Halloween and firework season.
Arson Reduction Team Manager at SWFRS, Mike Hill, said:
“Every year, we attend incidents where members of the public are injured by fireworks and bonfires. We ask everyone, where possible, to attend organised displays that have safety measures in place.”
Organised displays
Firefighters and local authorities are holding organised firework displays for 2023, to make sure you can enjoy firework night safely.
Here are a few of the organised displays SWFRS are supporting this year:
Blaenau Gwent
Ebbw Vale Fire and Rescue Station will be supporting an organised Firework display at Eugene Cross Park on Sunday 5 November 2023, with gates opening from 6:30pm. For more information, click here.
Cardiff
Whitchurch Fire and Rescue Station will be hosting their own organised display on Sunday 5 November 2023, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. For more information, click here.
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Ferndale Fire and Rescue Station will be supporting an organised Firework display at Ferndale Community School on Friday 3 November 2023.
Gilfach Goch Fire and Rescue Station will be supporting an organised Firework display at Hendreforgan Playing Field on Sunday 5 November 2023. For more information, click here.
Head of Community Safety and Partnerships, Group Manager Bleddyn Jones, said:
“This time of year is always a busy time for our Firefighters. Setting off fireworks at home poses significant risk, therefore we will always encourage the public to attend a professionally organised display.
“If you do choose to have your own display, please do so carefully, take extreme care, and follow the firework code.
“Our message is simple – be sensible and look after yourselves, and consider your neighbours and any animals that are nearby. We attend many unsupervised fires, and see many injuries caused by fireworks and out of control bonfires. Fireworks are nice to watch, but it’s very important to be cautious, and enjoy the celebrations responsibly. We cannot stress enough that acting irresponsibly around fires and fireworks can have devastating consequences, and cause life threatening injuries.”
If you are deciding to have fireworks at home, please follow the below steps to ensure safety for you and those around you:
Make sure all fireworks comply with approved standards and regulations.
Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.