Firefighters are urging residents not to hold their own firework displays

Oct 26 2011 by Rachel Flint, Chester Chronicle

DON’T follow the guys, urge firefighters who are asking people not to build haphazard bonfires and launch dangerous firework displays in their backyards.

Firefighters are preparing for their busiest period of the year as hundreds of residents get burnt or injured attempting to hold their own bonfire night celebrations.

But this year Cheshire Fire and Rescue are urging people to attend official bonfires and firework displays instead of taking the risk with their own celebrations which can often go wrong.

Last year alone firefighters were called to 98 bonfire-related incidents between Halloween and Bonfire night in the region, which is down from 228 in 2006.

Firefighters have launched Don’t Follow the Guys, a campaign which will see firefighters out talking to youths and parents, in an attempt to stop people building their own bonfires on grassy areas, parks and in backyards.

Over the bonfire weekend smaller fire engines, known as a Targeted Response Vehicles (TRVs), will be monitoring high risk areas to enable a quick response to small nuisance bonfires and act as a deterrent.

For further information about how to stay safe this Bonfire Night, visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk.