Bonfires and fireworks

Advice from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is to attend a safely organised bonfire and firework display. In the run-up to bonfire night every year, the What's On Lanarkshire website posts a list of some of the major events in the area.

However if you must have a bonfire at home make sure it is well away from buildings, vehicles, trees, hedges, fences, power lines, telecommunications equipment and sheds - and you must ensure that smoke does not cause a nuisance to neighbours or flying embers endanger neighbouring property.

Bonfires and/or firework displays with a public audience need Public Entertainment Licence, whether there is an admission fee or not.

• Never drink alcohol if you are tending a bonfire or setting off fireworks – remember it is an offence to consume alcohol in a public place
• To reduce the emission of harmful fumes only burn untreated wood and paper based materials on your bonfire
• Pressurised containers or sealed vessels amongst bonfire material or irresponsibly thrown on burning bonfires can cause explosions
• Never throw fireworks onto bonfires
• Never use flammable liquids to ignite bonfires – use proper fire lighters
• Smoke from bonfires must not pose a public nuisance, affect visibility on roads or otherwise inconvenience vehicles
• Sparks, flying embers or burning debris must not endanger nearby property
• Never leave a burning/smouldering bonfire unsupervised – make sure it is completely extinguished

Alcohol and fire don’t mix

Do not go near bonfires or fireworks whilst under the influence of alcohol. Some individuals may be tempted to ignore local bye-laws and drink alcohol in public places. This could lead to police issuing a fixed penalty ticket or a report being sent to the Procurator Fiscal.