Stay Safe This Halloween and Bonfire Night

Have fun but stay safe this Halloween

Halloween can be a scary time for some. Why not let visitors know if you would rather not have callers by displaying one of our ‘no to trick or treating’ doors signs at www.kent.police.uk? You’ll be able to get our advice for older friends and family members too.

Are you going trick or treating? Make sure younger children are accompanied by an adult and only knock on doors of people they know and are expecting them.

Going to a Halloween party? An empty house could be tempting for some. For tips to help keep your home and important items safe, visit www.kent.police.uk/burglary

Not everyone enjoys or wants to take part in Halloween. If you know someone who would rather not have trick or treaters call at their home, you can download our 'no trick or treat' sign for their front door or window.

If you have young children

• Never let them go trick or treating on their own.

• Make sure they only visit people known to your family.

If you have teenagers

• Make sure they are not going to be using alcohol, flour or eggs.

• Make it clear that if a 'no trick or treat' sign is displayed, they should leave straightaway.

• Advise them to stay in a group and never go into the home of someone they don't know.

• Make sure they know not to frighten people.

Top safety tips for a safer Bonfire Night

Most people lock up when going out to a firework display - but what if you’re watching fireworks from the garden? For our top tips to keep your home and belongings safe, visit www.kent.police.uk/burglary

Make sure your loved ones and pets stay safe too. For everything you need to know about firework safety, visit ROSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) at www.saferfireworks.com

Top tips to celebrate safely

• Fireworks can hurt and frighten people and animals - always follow the firework code

• Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to a child under 5. 

• It’s safer to go to an organised display - if you’re aged 18 or over and still want to buy your own fireworks, only buy those marked BS 7114:1988 from a reputable retailer.

Know the law

It's an offence to

• Sell adult fireworks to anyone under 18.

• Have adult fireworks in a public place if you are under 18.

• Have fireworks meant for a professional display.

• Let off fireworks after 11:00pm and before 7:00am, except on Bonfire Night (allowed up to midnight), New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the Chinese New Year (all allowed up to 1:00am).

You can also be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.

For more details on fireworks at the law visit www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

Firework Code

Firework Top Ten Safety Code for Adults

Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.

1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.

2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.

3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.

4. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.

5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.

6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.

7. Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.

8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.

9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.

10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Upchurch Matters

Space