Peterborough City Council is urging residents to put safety first and consider their neighbours when celebrating with fireworks ahead of Guy Fawkes Night on 5 November.
Families are being encouraged to attend organised displays rather than set off fireworks at home, helping reduce the risk of injuries, fires and disruption.
Those who are planning their own celebrations are asked to give neighbours advance notice, choose quieter fireworks and finish early wherever possible. Unexpected loud bangs can cause distress to people and animals, while advance warning gives households time to prepare.
The advice comes on the back of a meeting this week between council officers, Councillor Christian Hogg, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Enforcement and Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes about the use of fireworks.
They have agreed to investigate the option of a Public Spaces Protection Order in the city which would look to ensure the correct use of fireworks, including not throwing fireworks.
MP Andrew Pakes has also committed to continuing to lobby Government for policy change on the use of fireworks, including banning those above a specified noise level which have the greatest impact on residents and pets.
Councillor Hogg said: “We want everyone to enjoy their celebrations, but a few moments of entertainment should never come at the expense of someone else’s safety or wellbeing.
“Please think beyond your own garden. Let your neighbours know your plans, consider the impact on pets and wildlife, and remember that not everyone enjoys unexpected loud noises.
“Attending an organised display is a great way to enjoy the occasion without the risks of handling fireworks yourself. If you do use fireworks at home, follow the safety advice and the law. Above all, be considerate and help keep our communities safe.”
Andrew Pakes MP for Peterborough said: “Most of us enjoy a good celebration, but the reality is that fireworks are becoming a constant nuisance across the city for much of the year.
“I’m regularly contacted by residents who are fed up with late-night bangs, frightened pets and fireworks being misused in our streets. People should be able to celebrate, but not at the expense of their neighbours.
“That’s why I’ve been campaigning to change the law to stop the sale of the noisiest fireworks and to promote responsible sales.
“I’m grateful to Peterborough City Council, and to Councillor Hogg in particular, for working with me to see what more we can do locally, including a city-wide Public Spaces Protection Order to clamp down on dangerous and antisocial behaviour such as throwing fireworks.
“I’ll keep pressing the Government for these changes. In the meantime, I’d urge everyone to go to an organised display if they can. If you’re celebrating at home, let your neighbours know, keep the noise down and stick to the rules.”
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to attend an organised fireworks display. This is because firefighters are often called to incidents involving out of control bonfires and fireworks, which can be easily avoided by taking a few simple precautions.
Station Commander Scott Fretwell, community risk manager, said: “Bonfire Night is a very popular fixture in the calendar and can be plenty of fun for all of the family to enjoy. There are however potential hazards to avoid, to help keep you and your family safe.
“We urge anyone wanting to enjoy fireworks to attend an organised fireworks display rather than hosting your own. There are many across the county that people can enjoy safely, which can be found on an interactive map on the Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service website.”
“While most people enjoy fireworks responsibly, in the wrong hands they can cause injury and damage to property. Fireworks are explosives and as such should be treated with respect and only used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the firework safety code.
“Lighting a bonfire in a garden presents significant risks to residents if they get out of hand. Not only this, but the smoke can also aggravate neighbours with respiratory problems. They can also get out of control very quickly, causing damage to property and sometimes serious injury.”
Anyone using fireworks should buy from reputable retailers, follow the instructions on each item and keep spectators at the stated safety distance. Never return to a lit firework, even if it appears not to have gone off, and never throw fireworks or carry them in pockets.
Children should always be supervised. Never give sparklers to children under five, wear gloves when handling them and put used sparklers in a bucket of water. Keep pets indoors and provide somewhere quiet for them to settle.
It is illegal to set off or throw fireworks in the street or other public places. Adults must not buy fireworks for children, and anyone under 18 cannot buy adult fireworks.
Fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, when the cut-off is midnight, and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when it is 1am.
People can report dangerous firework use to police on 101, or call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.