Plea from fire service to stay safe and stay at home

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is urging communities to do their bit this Autumn and stay safe, as the Halloween and Bonfire season gets underway.

Festivities will look very different this year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, with organised displays cancelled and Government restrictions  banning household mixing indoors or gathering in more than six outdoors.

With more people expected to celebrate at home, firefighters are calling on people to take extra care and remind themselves of the Halloween, Bonfire and firework safety advice that is available at Safe4Autumm.com.

GMFRS along with other emergency services and Local Authorities are gearing up for a busy time and ask for  the public’s support to help them keep people safe.

GMFRS’ Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russel, said: “The last seven to eight months have been extremely unusual and challenging for everyone, including the emergency services and our local councils.

“The Halloween and Bonfire period will be as busy as ever with the expectation that more families and households will opt to host their own small firework display due to organised events having been cancelled.

“Our advice would be to not have fireworks and bonfires this year - instead, stay at home, stay safe and protect our emergency services. 

“If you do choose to purchase fireworks, you must do so safely by checking for the CE mark, and you must follow the Fireworks Code when using them.

“Bonfires can be dangerous if not managed correctly and they cause problems for our emergency services. 

“If you are going to have a bonfire in your garden, please do so safely by following the advice on our website Safe4Autumn.com. It’s more important than ever that people  celebrate this autumn safely and responsibly.”

Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, added that hoax calls and fires started deliberately can have a significant impact on the safety of others and tie up firefighters who may be needed for a life-threatening emergency elsewhere.