How to enjoy Bonfire Night safely at home, plus advice for businesses and landlords in Bradford, Leeds and across Yorkshire.
The one thing to do before you go out
Press the test button on your smoke alarm. It takes five seconds. If it doesn’t sound, change the battery or replace the alarm before you leave the house, and make sure there is a working alarm on every floor.
Bonfire Night is one of the busiest nights of the year for fire crews. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended 105 fires and 60 further calls about bonfires over the 2023 bonfire period (3 to 5 November) and recommends going to an organised display wherever possible. A few simple precautions keep celebrations safe.
Firework safety at home
Bonfire safety
Sparklers
Sparklers burn at very high temperatures. Give children gloves, light one at a time, hold them at arm’s length and put used sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water. Sparklers are not suitable for children under five.
Pets
Keep dogs and cats indoors with curtains closed and the TV or radio on. Make sure they can’t escape if a door is opened, and walk dogs before it gets dark.
For businesses and landlords
For businesses, the biggest risk often comes after everyone has gone home. Stray fireworks and deliberately lit fires can catch rubbish stored against buildings.
Salts Fire & Security installs and services fire alarms, intruder alarms and CCTV across Bradford, Leeds and the rest of Yorkshire. Landlords can read our HMO fire alarm guide.
Common questions
What should I check before Bonfire Night?
Test your smoke alarm, plan to go to an organised display if you can, and keep a bucket of water nearby if you are having fireworks or a bonfire at home.
What should I never put on a bonfire?
Never burn aerosols, tyres, gas canisters, foam furniture, paint tins or batteries, and never use petrol or paraffin to light it.
How do I dispose of used sparklers?
Put them hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they go out.
What should I do if a firework doesn’t go off?
Never go back to it. Leave it for at least 30 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water.
How can businesses reduce the fire risk on Bonfire Night?
Move bins, pallets and rubbish away from buildings, check fire and intruder alarms are fault-free, make sure CCTV is recording and update keyholder details with your monitoring company.
Last reviewed 05/11/2026 by the Salts Fire & Security team, Baildon. This is general guidance; your fire risk assessment and the full standard take priority.
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