Bonfires

Bonfires can be a fire risk, so we'd always recommend looking for alternative ways to get rid of your waste, but if you do have a bonfire, make sure you follow our safety tips.

Bonfire safety tips

• Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and trees/hedges
• Never use flammable liquids (such as paraffin or petrol) to start a bonfire and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries
• Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire
• Don’t leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with plenty of water
• Check the area to make sure there's no wildlife or pets hiding nearby
• Make sure the bonfire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Smoke from bonfires

If you're burning garden waste, remember that the greener the waste, the more smoke it produces. This may affect your neighbours, and even cause concerned citizens to call us to report a fire.

If you intend to have a bonfire to dispose of garden waste, alternatives to consider include composting, or using your local council's garden waste collection service instead.