Be Firewise this Guy Fawkes!

Fire and Emergency are asking for a much safer and less eventful Guy Fawkes this year.

National Advisor Fire Risk Management, Todd O'Donoghue says “we had a very disappointing Guy Fawkes last year.”

“Between November 2 and November 9 2019, our crews attended 237 fireworks-related callouts – the highest number for the corresponding period since 2015.”

“We saw large fires caused by fireworks in Palmerston North and Auckland, as well as incidents of people shooting fireworks from cars and at people or structures,” Todd O’Donoghue says.

“This is dangerous behaviour and creates a high degree of risk for our communities.”

“We’d like to not have a repeat of that this Guy Fawkes,” says Todd O’Donoghue.

Fireworks will be going on sale to the public on Monday until November 5.

Todd says that if you are going to plan on setting fireworks off yourself, do it safely, look at weather conditions, read the instructions of the manufacturer and light fireworks in an open area away from anything that could catch fore and keep a bucket or two of water ready for any emergencies that may arise.

Light your fireworks on the ground that is level and point them directly up at the stars, not at people or your neighbour's property.

Fireworks can spread quickly, meaning a house can catch fire and become un-0survivable within three minutes. 

When lighting fireworks, you must also check your local bylaws for the rules around using them in your area. In many places, if not most, you are only allowed to light fireworks on private property. 

Lastly, keep your pets inside.

Image: Adboestock