Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night, will soon be upon us and celebrated in the customary style of firework displays and lighting bonfires together with the burning of Guy Fawkes ‘effigies. An age-old tradition is for children to display their guys made from old clothes and sacking and to ask “A penny for the guy”.

Guy Fawkes’ planned to kill King James I and to restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. On the 5th November 1605, he was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament along with several dozen barrels of gunpowder. He and his co-conspirators were tried as traitors for plotting against the Government. Guy Fawkes was tried by Judge Popham and was sentenced to death by being hung, drawn and quartered. This form of execution is unimaginable in this day and age but reflected the serious nature of the crime of treason.

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot…

Interesting fact to note is that until 1959, it was illegal not to celebrate Bonfire Night in the UK!!

If you are planning Bonfire Night celebrations with the lighting of a bonfire and setting off fireworks, David of DB Fire Safety would like to offer some advice to help keep you and your family safe.

Care must be taken when letting off fireworks. It’s probably best to assign just a couple of people who will take on this responsibility. It goes without saying that it’s not a good idea to smoke near where the fireworks are being stored or handled. All fireworks should be contained in a secure box (well away from the bonfire) until they are ready to be used. Another good idea is to have a bucket of water or sand, or even a Fire Blanket, close at hand.

Prior to the event, it’s advisable to read the instructions written on each of the fireworks and re-read them once again just before setting them off – probably a good idea is to have a torch handy. Make sure that the wind and the angle of the fireworks is away from spectators.

If your celebration is an organised event, then a device called a Portfire is advised to be used to light each display. These are ideal for lighting fireworks quickly and safely, they burn with a small flame and light a firework fuse without fuss whatever the weather. Never use matches or lighters for lighting fireworks at a display. If the weather turns windy, it’s advised that the event is cancelled.

Whether a family event or an organised event, if a firework fails to go off do not be tempted to go back because it could be still live and explode in your face. Leave at least half an hour before you return to the firework. At no time should you consider lighting the bonfire with flammable liquids such as paraffin or petrol.

Before lighting the bonfire, check to make sure that there are no animals such as hedgehogs inside; and don’t burn dangerous items such as aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture.

At the end of the event, ensure the bonfire is extinguished before leaving the venue – or retiring to bed.

FINALLY….please don’t forget your pets – make sure that they are tucked up safe and sound indoors throughout the entirety of the event.

DB Fire Safety would like to take this opportunity of wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
We see no reason
Why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot ….

Tomorrow is the 5th November – Bonfire Night. But why do we celebrate on the 5th with bonfires, fireworks and sparklers.

Bonfire Night commemorates the failure of the Gunpowder Plot which was hatched in November 1605 by a gang of Roman Catholic protesters.

The reason they felt the need to hatch such a plot was because Catholics had hoped that when Protestant King James I began his reign, the persecution they had suffered for over 45 years during the time of Queen Elizabeth’s, reign would finally come to an end. This didn’t happen and the Gunpowder Plot was hatched to assassinate the King and his ministers by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the state opening of Parliament.

Guy (Guido) Fawkes and his fellow plotters rented a house near to the Houses of Parliament and somehow managed to smuggle 36 barrels of gunpowder into a cellar under the House of Lords.

Guy Fawkes was the explosive’s expert and was left in the cellar to set off the fuse. But, at the very last moment, he was caught and the plot was foiled when a group of guards going about their duties checked the cellars.

Ironically, the cellar where Fawkes was found no longer exists because in 1834 it was destroyed in a fire which also ravaged the Houses of Parliament.

Stay safe this Bonfire Night by following the Fireworks Code:

Plan your firework display carefully to make it not only safe but enjoyable.
Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
Remember to have a torch handy to read and follow the instructions on each firework.
Light each firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
Don’t put fireworks in your pockets and never throw them.
Direct any rockets well away from spectators.
Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
And, last but by no means least, keep your pets safe indoors on Bonfire Night

“Remember, Remember the 5th of November” – Bonfire Night Safety Advice

Bonfire Night & Fire Safety