Two of the most colourful festivals will take place this weekend and the night skies will be lit up with fireworks across the region and country.
This year, some local authority areas have decided not to stage firework displays or public gatherings for festivals such as Diwali amid concerns about rising rates of COVID-19 infections. Check your local council’s website for further information.
With a lot of events being cancelled we all need to be mindful that COVID-19 is still with us and spreading through communities, and that if we choose to have celebrations at home or with friends we must take extra steps to avoid injury.
If you do suffer a burn, make sure you know what to do by following this video:
Adam Mitchell, Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedic from East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “If you do suffer a burn, ensure you cool the burn under cool running water, preferable a shower, for at least 30 minutes.
“If you have any problems with the amount of pain you are experiencing, or you are struggling to breathe as a result of the injury, please call 999. If it is a child or baby that has been burned, then always seek medical advice. When 999 is not appropriate, advice can be sought by visiting NHS 111 online, attending an urgent care centre or visiting your local accident and emergency department.”
Diwali (2 to 6 November)
Diwali is one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists.
Diwali, known as 'Festival of the Lights', takes place over five days and sees an increase in the use of candles (aka divas), lanterns and oil lamps. It is believed that light signifies goodness, enlightenment, knowledge and wisdom, therefore candles and lamps are used throughout the day and into the night to ward off darkness and evil.
Diwali safety tips
- Candles – always place candles firmly in a proper holder so they don’t fall over and start a fire, keep them out of reach of children and pets and extinguish them when left unattended.
- Cooking – when cooking don’t get distracted. Turn off or turn down the heat if you leave cooking unattended and take extra care when deep-fat frying or cooking with oil.
- Fireworks – if you’re having fireworks at home, make sure you know the law by visiting the GOV.UK website for further information.
Bonfire Night (5 November)
This year Bonfire Night falls on a Friday and bonfire and fireworks celebrations are expected to take place throughout the weekend.
The reason we have bonfires today is because back in 1605, people across London celebrated the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, which was the Gunpowder Plot, by lighting bonfires across the city.
Bonfire Night safety tips
- Follow the Firework Code.
- Only buy fireworks with a CE mark. All reputable dealers will only sell fireworks to this standard.
- Stand well back.
- Never go back to a lit firework.
You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am – except for Bonfire Night where the cut off is midnight and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.