Bonfires

Bonfire safe practice

Tell your neighbours so they can close windows or remove washing from clothes lines
Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, roads, garden sheds, fences, trees and hedges
If possible build your bonfire somewhere sheltered from the wind
Check the wind direction and try to burn when the wind will carry smoke away from neighbouring properties
Make sure everything to be burned is dry tinder. Don't burn damp grass cuttings as they produce thick smoke
Never burn household rubbish, tyres, anything containing plastic, foam, paint, batteries or aerosols
Never use flammable liquids such as old engine oil, meths or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it
Avoid burning demolition waste
Before you light the bonfire, check for whether any pets, wildlife or small children have crawled inside
Check there are no cables e.g. telephone wires above the bonfire
Make sure the fire, once lit, is kept under supervision and is completely extinguished before being left
Always keep a bucket of water or a working hosepipe nearby in case of fire
Don't leave bonfires unattended and keep children and pets away
A responsible adult should supervise the bonfire until it has burnt out
When the bonfire has died down, pour water on the embers to stop it reigniting