SOUTH Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) are working with the communities and online watch schemes across South Wales to ensure that neighbourhoods stay safe during this year’s firework season of Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night.

While the whizz, bang and pop of fireworks is a delight for everyone, SWFRS will be on patrol to ensure that residents stay safe in the hope to reduce the risk of injury, as well as potential fires caused by stray fireworks or bonfires.

During ‘Operation Bang’ last year, SWFRS attended more than 80 deliberate refuse fires between October 28 and November 6, as well as receiving 15 malicious false alarm calls to fictional incidents.

SWFRS want to raise awareness of the impact that false alarms can have on communities, as hoax calls not only means a strain on the Service’s resources, it also puts lives at risk as crews attend a false alarm and not a real incident. What people might not be aware of is that if found guilty of making a hoax call there is a £5,000 penalty fine or six months in prison.

With the high number of deliberate refuse fires, this type of incident continues to be a concern and SWFRS are advising householders to try and avoid putting out their bins the night before collection during ‘Operation Bang’ which runs this year, between Friday, October 24, and Wednesday, November 5.

By putting rubbish out in the morning instead this has can reduce the number of wheelie bins and/or dustbins targeted by individuals overnight who may wish to place lit fireworks inside. Refuse fires, while mainly small and contained, have the potential to ignite additional flammable areas e.g. bushes, lawns, wooden gates if nearby and if bins are placed against property, a refuse fire can also lead to the property potentially being at risk.

Dewi Jones, head of home safety and fire crime at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “As a Service we don’t want to spoil the fun that Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night brings to our local communities, but we also want to ensure that the public stay safe as well. If you are planning on going to a fireworks display, ensure that it is a registered public event. However, if you wish to buy your own, please ensure they have the British kitemark safety standard.

“While we appreciate that putting your bins out the morning of collection may prove more awkward for households, as a Service we would like to encourage people to do this all year round. It just reduces the risk of individuals starting refuse fires.

“Unfortunately, during this period last year there were two attacks on our crews which is disappointing and again, places a strain on our resources as your area will be considered an at risk area for our crews. Thankfully it is a very small minority of people who are responsible for this kind of behaviour, but those responsible could end up with a criminal record for their actions.”

For more information about South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and its Fire Crime Unit visit www.southwales-fire.gov.uk, you can report a fire crime by ringing 0800 731 72 87 or by downloading the ‘South Wales Fire’ app.