How to prevent Bonfire issues

Oct 10 2012 by Michelle Fiddler, Heswall News

AS Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MF&RS) gears up for its busiest time of year, I thought I would update you on some of partnership work operating across Wirral, which is aimed at preventing and reducing the problems that are associated with the Halloween and Bonfire Night period.

Planning for the Bonfire period started back in June, when local agencies such as Wirral council, police, registered social landlords, private and voluntary sectors met to discuss the Bonfire plan and the lessons learned from last year.

As with last year there will continue to be a series of interventions and activities in place aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour, removing combustible materials from our streets and the co-ordinated planning of diversionary activities.

Work is being undertaken with children and young people in schools to discuss the hazards and consequences of engaging in anti-social behaviour. MF&RS and our partners ask for your support by making sure you don't leave potentially flammable material lying around and not supplying young people with timber or combustible materials for use on bonfires.

Residents are being asked wherever possible to store their wheelie bins away from windows and doors and try to ensure they are not easily accessible to the general public. Bins should only be put out on the day of collection and removed as soon as possible after collection to a secure location.

Every year there are a number of injuries associated with bonfire and firework misuse and parents are being asked to do their part by helping to reiterate the dangers of fire to their children.

There are a number of organised firework displays confirmed across Wirral and information on these events is available on the MF&RS and WBC websites. A new website www.merseyside.police.uk/autumnfun is also due to be launched this month to provide links to local activities across Merseyside.

MF&RS also has a freephone number available for residents to report the build up of bonfire material or unsafe bonfires in local areas from October 22. The number is 0800 731 5958.