NEWS RELEASES
Timely tips for bonfires
29th October 2007
RESIDENTS are being reminded about the safety, nuisance and environmental considerations when celebrating Bonfire Night around 5 November.
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 from www.sussex-air.net)
Thinking of bonfires throughout the year, the Council is keen to promote greener solutions other than burning:
- Recycling: Residents taking part in the Council’s Acorn recycling scheme can place green garden waste and flat, non-corrugated card into brown lidded bins, this includes twigs and small branches (no greater than 15cm in diameter). Material collected as part of the Acorn Scheme is made into locally produced compost, which is widely available to buy from many garden centres within the District. Further details are online.
- Home Composting: Local residents can get a discounted home composting bin by ringing 0845 073 2002. Further information is also available online.
- Household Waste Recycling Site(s): Call West Sussex County Council on (01243) 642106 to find your nearest Household Waste Recycling Site and dispose of waste there. Details are also available online.
As 5 November approaches, people are also being reminded to be considerate with fireworks. New regulations about the use of fireworks mean that there is now 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 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 do's and don’ts outlined above may prevent unnecessary nuisance. The new 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 & 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 £5000 or 6 months in prison for the breach of the curfew.
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk