Take extra care this Guy Fawke’s

With dry windy conditions forecast, the Fire Service is asking people to take the utmost care this Guy Fawke’s.

There are a few simple rules to follow that will make sure you and your family (as well as the pets and the neighbours) stay safe, says Eastern Regional Rural Fire Committee chairman Trevor Mitchell.

• Read the instructions on the fireworks’ and follow them

• Light your fireworks in a wide-open area; keep away from anything that could catch fire

• Don’t mix fireworks with alcohol and/or drug use

• Always let an adult light the fireworks

• Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy

• Keep all unlit fireworks in their box or bag until you are ready to light them

• Leave dud fireworks alone; trying to relight them is unsafe

• Point fireworks at the stars, not at your mates

• If you do get burned, hold your burn under running water for 20 minutes

• Put away the fireworks after 10:30pm

• Keep your pets inside on Guy Fawkes Night

Mr Mitchell says conditions are quite dry and it is forecast to be windy on Guy Fawke’s night (November 5) so people need to take extra care.

A total fire ban is in place in Mahia and on many of the region’s beaches and, as always, there are fire restrictions in force for all Department of Conservation administered land, Bay Forests and Eastland Rural Fire Districts, Gisborne and parts of Wairoa. In other areas council bylaws restrict the lighting of fires at night.

People wishing to light fires for Guy Fawke’s are urged to contact their local council, fire brigade, or fire authority for a fire permit. If people see any unattended or dangerous fires they should call 111.

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