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 2022 and 2023, SWFRS saw a 24% increase in the number of deliberate incidents during the 2 week period of Halloween and Bonfire Night. 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.
Organised displays
Firefighters and local authorities are holding organised firework displays for 2024, to make sure you can enjoy firework night safely.
Here are a few of the organised displays SWFRS are supporting this year:
- Ebbw Vale Fire and Rescue Station will be supporting an organised Firework display at Eugene Cross Park on Sunday 3 November 2024. For more information, click here.
- Gilfach Goch Fire and Rescue Station will be hosting their own organised display at Tyn Y Bryn Park, Tonyrefail on Sunday 3 November 2024. For more information, click here.
- Whitchurch Fire and Rescue Station will be hosting their own organised display at Whitchurch Station on Tuesday 5 November 2024. For more information, click here.
- Treorchy Fire and Rescue Station will be hosting their own organised display at Treorchy Station on Tuesday 5 November 2024. For more information, click here.
Follow our top tips on keeping safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night –
Halloween
- Pumpkins are a staple of the Halloween season, and carving one can be fun. Despite traditionally containing candles to light up their frightening expression, we recommend switching to battery operated lights as a safer option.
- Halloween is a great occasion to dress your home with all sorts of spooky decorations. Many homes use candles in their decorations to enhance the eerie atmosphere. We would always recommend that you use battery operated lights in the first instance, but if you choose to use candles, it’s important to be wary of where they are situated and any other decorations around it. Candles should be isolated enough so that they don’t pose any danger, so make sure other decorations or hanging parts are kept away from the naked flames.
- Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains. Put candles out completely when you leave the room. Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles, it’s safer than blowing them out as sparks can fly. Remember, children should never be left alone with lit candles.
- Be wary of the materials used in Halloween costumes. Synthetic materials are much more flammable than natural materials, so keep an eye out for costumes containing cotton, silk or wool. These materials will be more likely to catch fire.
Bonfire Night
- Make sure all fireworks comply with approved standards and regulations.
- Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box, and always follow the instructions carefully when using them.
- Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper, and stand well back.
- Never go back to fireworks once they are lit. Even if a firework hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
- Never throw fireworks, and never put them in your pocket.
- Respect your neighbours – don’t let off fireworks late at night.
- Take care with sparklers – never give them to children under five.
- Even when sparklers they have gone out, they are still hot – so put them in a bucket of water after use.
- Keep your pets indoors whilst fireworks are going off.
If anyone would like to report concerns for anti-social behaviour, you can do so in one of the following ways:
🗪 Live Chat https://www.south-wales.police.uk/
💻 Report online https://www.south-wales.police.uk/ro/report
📧 Email swp101@south-wales.police.uk
📞 101 or always call 999 in an emergency.
