Ahead of Bonfire Night and during a busy Halloween weekend, London Fire Brigade hosted an accessible event at Croydon Fire Station for young people with additional needs as part of its message for Londoners to attend organised fireworks displays instead of setting them off at home.
Croydon Fire Station’s accessible event welcomed hundreds of families who enjoyed themed light displays, ‘snow’, a bubble tunnel, a UV ‘house’, and access to a fire engine via a bespoke ramp. Specialist Brigade training facilities were temporarily repurposed, with the watch tower lit up in different colours, and the garden transformed into a quiet sensory space.
Members of the Brigade’s Fire Cadets were on-hand to welcome visitors, while firefighters offered guests hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows and helped families to learn about fire safety at home in an accessible way. Croydon’s Civic Mayor also attended the event alongside officers from the Metropolitan Police Service.
Croydon Fire Station’s Blue Watch has organised a range of open events for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), inspired and led by Station Officer Daniel Foster.
He first organised a summer open event, followed by a Bonfire Night-themed event last November, and has supported crews at other stations to do the same.
Station Officer Foster said: “It’s the most rewarding and worthwhile thing I’ve done in my career.
“This year’s event was even bigger and better than our first, and I’m already thinking about what we can do next, and how we can keep learning and improving.
“It’s a real team effort, and I’m really grateful to my watch and my Station and Borough Commanders for their support.”
Fireworks displays are not always accessible for people with SEND. Autistic people often struggle with the noise and crowds, while grassy surfaces are difficult to navigate with many wheelchairs.
Since the start of October, the Brigade has handled over 60 firework-related calls and incidents, 27 of which took place over the Halloween weekend, leading the Brigade to urge Londoners not to purchase fireworks for use at home and instead attend an organised display.
Last year was the Brigade’s busiest fireworks season in seven years and 48 per cent busier than 2023, with Control Officers handling 89 firework-related calls and incidents. A total of 2,065 emergency calls were handled on Diwali, Halloween, and Bonfire Night, including 690 on Bonfire Night alone.
Station Officer Foster continued: “Our advice is that it’s safer for people to attend organised firework displays than to hold their own events, so we wanted to offer families in Croydon an adapted event that meets their needs.
“If you are going to host your own display, it’s important to ensure you are buying safe fireworks from a reputable, licensed seller with a CE safety mark. Secure them properly in the ground, and keep them far away from buildings, trees, animals and people.
“Always follow the Fireworks Code and remember there are strict laws around when you can purchase and use fireworks. Never set them off if you’ve been drinking alcohol and once a firework is lit, never go back to it.
“Disposing of fireworks safely is just as important as using them correctly. Allow fireworks to cool properly before throwing them away.
“As we approach Bonfire Night, we wish everyone a safe fireworks season.”
The Brigade have published a map of fireworks displays which you can access through the London Fire Brigade website.
For more information on fireworks, bonfire and candle safety, visit London Fire Brigade’s website.
