Calls to use fireworks safely this Guy Fawkes

November 5 marks the official Guy Fawkes day, but no doubt, people will be letting fireworks off ll week.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging the public to act responsibly when using fireworks this Guy Fawkes, after a spate of incidents over the weekend.

National Adviser, Fire Risk Management, Peter Gallagher says crews responded to more than 56 fireworks-related fire incidents nationwide from Friday to Sunday.

"Unfortunately we've already seen a number of incidents where fireworks have been misused and caused large fires.

"Fireworks can be fun, but they can also be dangerous and pose a high fire risk, so we need the public to use them responsibly."

Fire investigators deemed fireworks to be the cause of a suspicious scrub fire that resulted in the evacuation of six homes at Lake Hawea, near Wanaka, on Friday.

Five helicopters carrying monsoon buckets and 10 fire appliances were quickly deployed to control the fire which was spread across 10 hectares of hillside forest.

This incident has now been referred to Police.

"Used unsafely, fireworks can quickly cause devastating vegetation fires, particularly when conditions are dry and windy.

"Our crews are highly trained and ready to respond, but we need the public to help us keep communities safe by using fireworks safely, and calling us straight away if they see fire."

Safety tips:

- Don't light fireworks in windy or dry conditions.

- Carefully read and follow the manufacturer's instructions before using any fireworks.

- Light your fireworks in a wide-open area, away from anything that could catch fire, like dry grass, leaves or crops, or flammable gases or liquids.

- Keep a bucket of water, hose or fire extinguisher handy.

- Point fireworks at the sky, not your mates.

- Refer to your local bylaws for the rules around using fireworks in your area. In many places, you're only allowed to light fireworks on private property.

More safety advice can be found on our website:

https://fireandemergency.nz/recreational-and-cultural/fireworks/

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6 comments

Pet owner

Posted on 05-11-2018 12:04 | By dybryan

The ban the sale of fireworks completely, this is the only safe way!


Really?

Posted on 05-11-2018 13:09 | By overit

Ban them totally except public displays. I am over the noise and idiots that think its fair to let them off after 11pm. Got woken on Sunday morning at 2am. Really funny! If I find the noise awlful, imagine what its like for animals that dont understand whats going on. GET RID.


Fireworks

Posted on 05-11-2018 13:19 | By mlow

Dont you think its time NZ grew up and stopped this ridiculous practice. Money that could be spent on food, resources wasted on fire fighting and emergency services. Persons injured and scarred for life and pets and animals traumatised. Any other time of the year they call this terrorism but for 2/3 weeks of every year this country allows deliberate destruction and injury.


More public displays,

Posted on 05-11-2018 15:46 | By nerak

sale to public banned. Public displays are well run, makes for a fun night out. Unfortunately in this day and age we can't rely on everyone who lights a firework to have brain in gear first. With the horrific winds over the last several evenings I think it's only a matter of luck there hasn't been a disaster/injury somewhere. Another English tradition celebrating/highlighting something best forgotten.


Ban Ban Ban

Posted on 05-11-2018 16:30 | By Lvdw

Yes, Ban them I say. Waste of money. Can be better used to feed the kids or pay the debts. Each community can have a public held fireworks display where kids can 'partake' if need be, under supervision. Much safer, much cheaper, more control, no anguished pets and babies. I'm already over the idiots in our area setting off fireworks - all year around just because they hoard them. Come on New Zealand, lets sort this nonsense out!


The trouble is that fireworks

Posted on 06-11-2018 09:00 | By earlybird

have become far too powerful. Some of them are so loud they sound like a bomb going off. Unfortunately there are dipsticks in the community that think it's funny to set them off at 2 or 3 in the morning - even during the winter months. I'm not sure what sort of 'pleasure' they get from that. As a kid I loved small fireworks like tomthumbs and jumping jacks but these days fireworks are too dangerous for kids to use. So I would support a ban on the sale of fireworks but support community displays.


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