How to have a safe bonfire night in your garden
Tue 01 Nov 2022
It’s the time of year to stock up on marshmallows and get toasting over an open fire! A bonfire in your garden can be great fun. But it’s always important to stay safe. Plus, if you’re selling your home, the last thing you want to do is cause fire damage!
If you’re looking to entertain your family and friends with a garden bonfire this Guy Fawkes night, the team at Hoopers Estate Agents in Neasden have come up with some top tips to keep you safe.
If you fancy letting someone else do the hard work for you, scroll to the bottom of this article to see fireworks displays and bonfire nights across London in 2022!
1. Pick a Good Spot
To have a safe bonfire, pick a spot that’s away from anything that will burn or set alight if the wind catches the flames. Steer clear of fences, decking, sheds, greenery and – of course – your house!
Make sure you look up as well as around you when picking a spot. The last thing you want to do is burn down your washing line or sever a cable.
2. Use Safe Fire-Starters
Skip anything dangerous and unpredictable, like aerosol cans, and stick to safe bonfire starters. Things like firelighters and empty egg cartons are great fire-starters that will grow your bonfire slowly and safely.
3. Burn High-Quality Wood
To keep your guests happy, don’t just chuck any old thing on your garden bonfire! Things like plastic, greenery and rubber can create bad smells and dark smoke.
Stick to burning dry, high-quality firepit logs for an all-round better evening. They’ll last longer and you’ll be able to enjoy seeing the flames, rather than smelling them!
4. Watch Children and Pets
When the fire’s lit, keep an eye on the kids to avoid accidents. Some animals find the sound and smell of a bonfire distressing, so keep them inside or somewhere safe. Rabbits or guinea pigs that live outside should also be brought indoors to keep them away from the smoke and noise.
5. Supervise!
Treat your bonfire like your child and make sure it’s supervised at all times. A fire left unattended can easily spiral out of control, so keep an eye on it and nominate someone else to watch the flames if you need to head inside.
6. Keep a Hose or Bucket of Water Nearby
Prevention is always key, but if things get out of control with your garden bonfire, you want to be prepared to act immediately. One of the best ways to have a safe bonfire in your back garden is to keep a hose or a bucket of water nearby. You can use it if something goes wrong or to dampen the fire slightly if the flames get too big.
7. Make Sure It’s Completely Out
Embers in your fire can easily set alight again in the wind – even if you’ve just watched it die out. Before you head inside for the night, sprinkle your firepit with water to make sure it’s completely out.
8. Call for Help if You Need It
Even if you take precautions to keep your bonfire under control, accidents happen and things can go wrong. If your bonfire gets out of hand, call for help if you need it. It’s always better to call sooner rather than trying to tackle an inferno yourself.
Celebrating With a Bonfire?
If you’re celebrating the end of an era in your home with toasted marshmallows, toffee apples and a bonfire, we’d love to talk – and not just because we love sweet treats! At Hoopers Estate Agents, we’re experts in selling homes in the Neasden area.
Give us a call today on 020 8450 1633 to chat to a member of our friendly team.
Would you prefer to go to an organised bonfire night in London?
After years of cancellations, fireworks are back with a bang - and you certainly won’t want to miss them. MyLondon have rounded up the best displays in the county taking place in 2022!
CLICK HERE to see what's on!