Enjoy New Year festivities responsibly

Enjoy New Year festivities responsibly

With New Year festivities less than a fortnight away, residents across Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to enjoy the celebrations responsibly.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is urging people who plan to ring in the New Year by letting off fireworks to do so responsibly and think about pets, animal welfare and those who find the noise of explosions disturbing.

Fireworks purchased for personal use can only be used on your own property or property with the consent of the landowner. It is a criminal offence to set off fireworks in the street or public places without permission. Breaking the law on firework use can result in a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to £5,000.

The curfew for letting off fireworks is extended for New Year celebrations to 1am on New Year’s Day.

Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said: “We don’t want to dampen the spirits of people ringing in the New Year, but we want them to mark the start of the new decade safely and considerately.  If you do plan to let off fireworks to mark the start of 2020 please stick to the firework code, adhere to the curfew and consider using low noise fireworks to minimise distress to pets and wildlife and to reduce noise disruption to neighbours.”

Fireworks pose many hazards and can cause serious injury to people and animals. Young people are at higher risk with more than half of firework injuries every year happening to children under the age of 15.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service publishes a firework code which recommends that people:

  • Keep fireworks in a closed box or tin.
  • Follow the instructions on each firework.
  • Light fireworks at arm’s length, using a taper.
  • Stand well back.
  • Never go near a firework which has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
  • Never carry fireworks in your pockets.
  • Never throw fireworks.
  • Keep pets indoors.

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