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Building a bonfire

Fire can spread easily, so where and how you build your bonfire is important:

• build the bonfire away from sheds, fences and trees
  
• check there are no cables, like telephone wires, above the bonfire
  
• don’t build the bonfire too big and make sure the stack is stable and won’t collapse outwards or to one side
  
• use only dry material – damp material will cause more smoke, which could annoy your neighbours or be harmful to people with breathing difficulties
  
• don’t burn aerosols, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint – many produce toxic fumes and some containers may explode causing injury
  
• remove any rubbish from the area around the bonfire so no one is tempted to throw something on to the fire
  
• check the bonfire before lighting it – piles of garden waste are sometimes used as a refuge by hibernating wildlife
  
• don’t use petrol or paraffin to get the fire going – it may get out of control quickly

Bonfire safety tips

Once the bonfire is lit, make sure you:

• keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby, in case of emergencies
  
• don’t leave the bonfire unattended
  
• keep children and pets away from the bonfire
  
• don’t throw any fireworks into the fire

Once the bonfire has died down, spray the embers with water to stop it reigniting.

Bonfires and the law

There aren’t any specific laws against having a bonfire, but there are several laws that deal with the nuisance bonfires can cause. See ‘Bonfires and the law’ for more information.

• Bonfires and the law

Other ways to dispose of garden waste

There are ways to get rid of your garden waste without making a bonfire. Most garden waste, like grass cuttings and leaves, can be recycled by composting. Follow the links below for more information.

• Composting (environment and greener living section)

• Reducing waste and recycling (environment and greener living section)

More useful links

• Firework safety and the law