Remember, remember the fifth of November. But that’s not all you need to keep in mind. If you’re hosting bonfire night at home, there’s a lot more that you’ll be having to think about than just keeping the date free. The key to keeping your bonfire night lit is to make lots of preparations. This isn’t only important for keeping everyone happy and entertained, but for yours and your guests’ safety too.
Safety First
Bonfire night is full of sparkle, light and flames. It’s beautiful to watch. But you need to bear everyone’s safety in mind throughout the entire night. No matter how great your party is, it’s not going to be remembered as a fun night if someone gets hurt. So here are a few precautions that you might like to take.
Fireworks
If you have fireworks, keep them well out of the way until they’re being used. Make sure that your garden is big enough to host guests and a firework display at the same time. Make sure that the fireworks are lit far from your guests and that they are pointed directly up before being lit. You don’t want a skyrocket hurtling into a crowd of family and friends. If a firework has been lit but hasn’t gone off, leave it well alone. It could just be taking its time. If not, call a professional to remove it. It’s best to avoid it going off in your hand. Buy your fireworks from a trusted source. Online deals might be cheaper, but it’s best to make sure they’re coming from a reliable, trusted and tested source.
Earplugs
Fireworks are noisy. That’s part of the appeal. But remember you need to look after your ears. Nobody wants to go home with burst eardrums. Use the best ear plugs possible throughout the night. Distribute them amongst your guests or advise them to bring their own. These will protect even the most sensitive of ears and ensure there are no tears as the fireworks explode in the sky.
Sparklers
Kids love sparklers. They come in classic white or multicolour, and you can use them to draw out pictures, shapes and words in the night air. They’re cheap and relatively safe, as long as they’re used correctly. Always supervise children when they’re using sparklers. Ensure that they are wearing gloves, in case small sparks hit their hands. Also, make sure that there is a bucket of water ready to put the burnt out sparkler sticks in.
Bonfires
The bonfire. The huge centrepiece of the party. Many local councils have cancelled bonfires due to health and safety hazards. But a reasonable correctly made bonfire in your garden shouldn’t pose a threat. Just don’t get too excited. Make sure that the bonfire is controlled and away from fences which could catch alight. Make sure there are barriers all around it to prevent young children from getting too close. Also, make sure that any pets are indoors before lighting the bonfire. At the end of the night, make sure that it is properly extinguished before going to bed.