Stay safe this Halloween and bonfire night

Carmarthenshire County Council is working with Dyfed Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade to ensure everyone stays safe this Halloween and bonfire night.

Covid-19 restrictions mean the autumn festivities will be impacted.

Traditional trick or treating is not advised because of the difficulties of maintaining social distancing and the risks of sharing food.

Welsh Government has also made clear that Halloween parties either at home or at a public venue, such as a pub or community hall, will not be allowed as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

At present, people in Carmarthenshire can only socialise with a maximum of six people from their extended household ‘bubble’, and in Llanelli’s health protection zone the enhanced restrictions mean people can’t socialise with anyone they don’t live with.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Sadly Halloween, like many other events, will be impacted by coronavirus. We ask everyone to think how they can Keep Wales Safe this Halloween and not spread coronavirus. We strongly advise against traditional trick or treating – the more people you meet in close contact the more chance you have of catching and spreading the virus. Halloween parties in either your home or at another venue are not allowed as we seek to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The council will also be sharing safety messages from its partners as part of the annual Op Bang campaign over the next few weeks.

Celebrate Halloween safely at home:

• Organise a Halloween treasure hunt within your own home
• Host a virtual party online with themed games and music for you and your friends
• Watch a scary movie with the family
• Decorate your own house and organise a spooky trail for your family
• Take part in virtual craft workshops
• Dress up and share your costumes on social media

Celebrate bonfire night safely at home:

 Do:

• Consider your neighbours and your communities
• Only buy fireworks marked BS7114
• Store fireworks in a closed box and take them out one at a time
• Follow the instructions on each firework – use a torch to read them not a naked flame
• Light fireworks at arm’s length, using a taper
• Make sure everyone stands well back
• Keep a bucket of water nearby
• Always supervise children around fireworks and never give sparklers to children under five
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Keep pets indoors

Don’t:

• Don’t go back to a lit firework – even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode
• Don’t throw fireworks or put them in your pocket
• Don’t drink alcohol if you are setting off fireworks
• Don’t use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire