With Halloween and Bonfire Night fast approaching, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) is reminding residents to keep families, neighbours, and communities safe during this busy and exciting time of year.

From spooky costumes to fireworks and bonfires, simple precautions can help make sure everyone enjoys the celebrations safely.

Do us a favour and help keep you and your community safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night with these top tips:

1. Take care with fireworks and bonfires. Only adults (over 18) should light bonfires and fireworks. Never put fireworks in pockets or throw them. Never return to a firework once it has been lit and never throw fireworks or aerosols into a bonfire – this could produce toxic fumes or cause explosions and serious injury.
2. Keep costumes away from naked flames. Many Halloween and fancy dress costumes are classed as toys, meaning they can ignite quicker and burn faster – posing a significant risk to children wearing them. Check they are UKCA or CE marked to ensure they meet the required safety standards.
3. Use LED candles where possible. Battery-operated candles are a safer alternative to wax candles and still create a spooky atmosphere. If you use real candles, make sure they are placed firmly in holders, kept away from flammable materials, and fully extinguished before you go to sleep or leave the house.
4. Think about where you put your Halloween decorations. Make sure they are placed away from naked flames (such as a wax candle) or heat sources (like your radiator). Please also ensure they are not blocking any escape routes, like front and back doors. Also be aware that draughts from open windows can knock over candles.
5. Keep children and pets safe around bonfires. Check that no animals are hiding or children playing in or around the bonfire before lighting it. Always keep pets indoors during fireworks displays and close all doors and windows to help reduce stress. Attend organised events and ensure that children are always supervised.
6. Do a ‘bin check’. Wheelie bins can be an easy target for arson. Only put your bin out on the day of collection and bring it back in as soon as possible – and be a good neighbour by helping to bring in theirs too. If you can’t bring your bins in, keep them away from windows and doors to prevent potential fire spread to your property.
7. Tell us about unlit bonfires or piles of rubbish. During the Bonfire period, MFRS removes tonnes of potential bonfire materials such as wood, mattresses, and rubbish from the streets of Merseyside. Report any build-up of combustible materials via our website (Reporting tool active 22 October – 4 November).
8. Talk to young people about staying safe. Make sure children and teenagers understand the dangers of setting fires or misusing fireworks. If we are called to deliberate fires, it could delay our response to life-threatening incidents.
9. Respect your emergency services. Our firefighters and support staff are real people with families waiting for them at home. Damaging a fire engine or attacking a crew means it can’t respond to another emergency - and that could be your loved ones who need that help. Please help us keep everyone safe and treat emergency workers with respect.
10. Always dial 999 in an emergency. If you see fire or smoke, or if someone is seriously ill or injured, don’t message us on social media - call 999 immediately. Listen carefully to the operator and answer their questions to help us get to you as quickly as possible.

MFRS Group Manager for Community Safety Ged Knock said:

“We’re asking everyone in Merseyside to help us help them by taking small actions to reduce the number of deliberate fires during the Halloween and Bonfire period this year.

“Last year, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service saw a 104% increase in deliberately set anti-social behaviour fires on Bonfire Night compared to 2023."

“If our firefighters are responding to a wheelie bin fire or bonfire, it prevents them from responding to another, potentially life-threatening incident. Secondary fires can spread quickly, putting lives and nearby properties at risk.”

GM Knock added:

“Every year we see avoidable injuries caused by fireworks being used unsafely in back gardens or on the street. Fireworks are not toys; they burn at extremely high temperatures and can cause life-changing injuries in seconds. The safest way to enjoy Bonfire Night is to attend an organised display where trained professionals can manage fireworks safely.”

For more information on firework and sparkler safety, please visit the link:https://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/safety-advice/community-safety/firework-and-sparkler-safety/ 

If you have information about people involved in this type of anti-social behaviour, please report it. Always contact 999 in an emergency, or alternatively you can DM @MerPolCC, call 101, or contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously.

For fire safety advice, or if you do not have working smoke alarms, call Fire Service Direct on 0800 731 5958.

For more tips on staying safe this Halloween & Bonfire, visit Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service on Facebook, X (@MerseyFire), Instagram (@Mersey_Fire), YouTube (@MerseyFire), Nextdoor, or at www.merseyfire.gov.uk