NEWS RELEASES
Remember, remember on 5 November
21 October 2009
RESIDENTS are being reminded about the safety, nuisance and environmental considerations when celebrating Bonfire Night around 5 November this year.
The Council receives over 100 complaints each year from neighbours over nuisance from inconsiderate and dangerous use of bonfires and fireworks - and some of these relate to Bonfire Night.
Whilst no one is trying to dampen the celebrations, some simple tips are being given by the Council about Bonfire Night and bonfires throughout the year:
PLEASE DO:
- Tell neighbours about your proposed bonfire
- Make sure all materials will burn quickly and are dry to limit smoke
- Keep the bonfire small to restrict burning time
- Check weather conditions to ensure the smoke does not blow directly into neighbouring properties
- Check for small animals before lighting
- Other than the Bonfire Night celebrations, avoid burning at weekends and bank holidays when people may be in their gardens
PLEASE DON'T:
- Burn household waste, nappies, tyres, plastics, foam or paint
- Use petrol, engine oil or methylated spirits to ignite the fire
- Leave a bonfire unattended
- Light a fire when air quality is poor (more on this at http://www.sussex-air.net/)
Instead of bonfires throughout the year, the Council is keen to promote greener solutions other than burning.
Household recycling: Residents taking part in the Council’s Acorn and AcornPlus recycling scheme can place green garden waste and other materials in their household recycling. Further details are available online or by calling 01403 733144.
Home Composting: Local residents can get a discounted home composting bin by ringing 0845 073 2002.
Household Waste Recycling Site(s): Details of Household Waste Recycling Sites are available via Horsham District Council’s website or by calling West Sussex County Council on 01243 642106.
As 5 November approaches, people are also being reminded to be considerate with fireworks.
Regulations about the use of fireworks mean that there is a curfew prohibiting fireworks being used between 11pm and 7am. This is extended to midnight on the evening of 5 November itself. These regulations are enforced by the Police.
Further information about pollution issues in general is available on 01403 215609 and about refuse or recycling on 01403 733144.
Ends
Note to editors:
There is no law specifically prohibiting people from having bonfires throughout the year.
Complaints throughout the year about smoke and smells from bonfires are dealt with by Horsham District Council's Public Health and Licensing Department, along with noise and smells as a possible statutory nuisance.
For example, if bonfire smoke is regularly drifting over a neighbour's washing or into their houses, tainting items with smoke smells, it could be reasonably considered to be causing a statutory nuisance and the Council can act to stop it.
However, prevention is better than cure and therefore following the dos and don’ts outlined above may prevent unnecessary nuisance.
The Firework Regulations 2004 prohibit anyone under 18 from possessing fireworks and anyone except professionals from possessing display fireworks. These regulations also prohibit the use of fireworks at night (11pm to 7am) in England and Wales, with extensions for the following festivals:
Until 1am on the night of Chinese New Year
Until 1am on the night of Diwali
Until 1am on New Year’s Eve
Until midnight on 5 November
These regulations carry a penalty of up to £5,000 or six months in prison for the breach of the curfew.
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk