Information for organisers of bonfire or fireworks events

If you are planning a bonfire event for members of the public, follow this easy step guide to planning a safe event for a happy Bonfire night.

Before the event
On the day of the event
Animals and Pets
Further information on fireworks

Before the event

• Think - is your site large enough, who will operate the display and what type of fireworks will you want, as some can only be used by professional operators.
  
  
• Check with your insurers that you are covered for this type of event.
  
  
• If using a professional operator, be clear on who does what - especially in emergencies.
  
  
• Mark out your public areas clearly and make sure that they are taped off or barriers are used.
  
  
• Mark out your display area and be sure to leave a safety zone between it and the public.
  
  
• Think about public access and keep people separate from vehicle parking.
  
  
• Allow access for emergency vehicles and keep this access clear.
  
  
• Make sure stewards/staff are aware of their responsibilities and that only trained staff control the fireworks.
  
  
• Contact the Police to make them aware of your event.
  
  
• Contact the Fire Safety Officer for safety advice on Derby 345440.
  
  
• Contact Derby City Council’s Food Safety, who enforce Health and Safety legislation at your premises, on Derby 716321 to inform them of your event.
  
  
• For advice on the purchasing and storage of fireworks, contact Derby City Council’s Trading Standards on Derby 716302.
  
  
• First Aid and fire equipment points need to clearly marked.
  
  
• Appoint a responsible person to contact the emergency services in the event of an accident.

On the day of the event

• Keep alcohol sales well away from the display site.
  
  
• Do not allow members of the public to bring fireworks onto your site.
  
  
• Do not use petrol or paraffin to start your bonfire and ensure it is free of small animals before lighting it.
  
  
• Only one person should be responsible for lighting the bonfire and fireworks and should be wearing suitable clothing of wool or other low inflammable material as well as eye protection.
  
  
• Make sure you store your fireworks in a suitable container, placed away from the bonfire.
  
  
• Only use fireworks marked as BS 7114 and do not return to any firework that has been lit but not gone off - it may still explode.
  
  
• Keep a large container of water close to the display.
  
  
• Have a trained first-aider on duty.
  
  
• Do not allow children under five years old to handle sparklers.
  
  
• Don’t let off noisy fireworks after 11.00pm.

Animals and Pets

The RSPCA website has lots of information and advice for fireworks users and pet owners about how to minimise the stress caused by fireworks: RSPCA website.

Further information on fireworks 

Health and Safety Executive website

Department of Trade and Industry website

Council Contact Information:

Derby City Council
Environmental Services
Celtic House
Heritage Gate
Friary Street
Derby
DE1 1QX
Telephone
01332 716332
Email Environmental.services@derby.gov.uk