Fireworks are often loud and can frighten people, particularly those with sensory impairments or those who have suffered trauma, and cause great distress to animals.
If you are using fireworks, please get in touch with your neighbours and give them plenty of notice so they can look after themselves and their animals, and avoid purchasing really noisy fireworks.
Essex County Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging people to go to public displays where possible. However, if you are planning a display at home, here are some top tips for staying safe:
- Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and ensure it finishes before 11pm (or midnight on 5 November)
- Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark – keep them in a closed box and use them one at a time
- Read and follow the instructions on each firework, using a torch if necessary
- Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
- Never return to a firework once it has been lit
- Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
- Always supervise children around fireworks