Have fun, but stay safe this Bonfire Night | Tenant news

November 5^th is fast approaching so we’d like to take this opportunity to remind Habinteg tenants, and friends and family who may be visiting you on Bonfire Night, how to ensure it’s a safe and enjoyable one.

And by enjoyable, we mean safe. After all, bonfires are a celebration of survival. Find out more about that after you’ve looked at our bonfire advice.

Play it safe

If you and your family want to enjoy some fireworks or a bonfire:

1. Go to a local council-run display. It’s safer and will likely be free. To find out where your local fireworks are happening, check your local newspaper or your council’s website.
    
2. Ensure dogs, cats, and any other pets living outside, such as guinea pigs or rabbits, are brought inside, before it gets dark, for the night.
    
3. Let your immediate neighbours know in advance if you’re planning to let off fireworks in your garden so they can bring their pets in too.
    
4. Make sure you read all the instructions on the firework box thoroughly before you light it and that people are standing well back.
    
5. Take a look at the Office for Product Safety and Standards’ tips on how to use fireworks responsibly, before you attend a family or friend’s fireworks party.
    
6. Respect your community by sticking to the fireworks curfew. It’s against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am.  Please be considerate and legal on Bonfire Night by sticking to the firework curfew.
    

So, why do British people celebrate Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night and Fireworks Night, in the first place?

Gunpowder plot

This annual celebration stems from the events of 5 November 1605 when a group of devout Catholics, including a man called Guy Fawkes, were arrested while guarding explosives they had placed beneath the House of Lords.

The men were all part of a failed attempt to assassinate King James I of England – who was a Protestant - during the opening of parliament and establish Catholic rule in England.

On 4 November, following a tip off in an anonymous letter, men loyal to the King searched the vaults of parliament and found a pile of firewood in a cellar, along with Guy Fawkes. Fawkes said that the firewood belonged to his Catholic master Thomas Percy who was already known to the authorities.

The King ordered a second search, and, in the early hours of Tuesday 5 November, Fawkes was found carrying fuses and matches. He was arrested, and 36 barrels of gunpowder were also discovered.

Fawkes eventually gave up his fellow plotters and all were found guilty of treason on Monday 27 January 1606. To celebrate the King’s survival, people lit bonfires around London.

And there you have it – bonfires are a celebration of survival. To ensure they stay that way, follow our recommendations to have a night to remember for all the right reasons.

Bonfires and fireworks

Please also familiarise yourself with our fire safety tips for more advice on what to do if a fire breaks out inside or outside of your home.

And, look at the Fire Brigade’s Bonfire Night safety advice, which includes safety tips for bonfires, sparklers and fireworks.

If a fire does get out of control, ensure people and animals are well away from the fire and that everyone who was enjoying the evening with you is present. Call 999 and ask for the Fire Brigade.