Make sure your Bonfire Night doesn’t go up in flames

With Bonfire Night nearly upon us, The Co-operative Insurance offers its top tips to ensure that Guy Fawkes celebrations do not go up in smoke.

Lee Mooney, Head of Home Insurance at The Co-operative Insurance, said: "There was a time when shop-bought fireworks became more tame and organised displays more popular. But, in recent years there has been a growing popularity and availability of much bigger and more sophisticated fireworks for use at home.

"So it's as important as ever not to get carried away with the celebrations as ignoring the advice available puts family, friends and pets at risk of injury and increases the potential for damage to vehicles and property".

The Co-operative Insurance's top tips for a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night are:

1. If you are setting off fireworks, ensure that they are positioned a safe distance away from crowds and buildings and abide by the Firework Code

2. If you are using sparklers supervise children at all times and dispose of used sparklers in a bucket of water

3. Keep all pets indoors

4. Do not drink alcohol if you are lighting bonfires or fireworks

5. Store fireworks and sparklers in a tin box away from direct heat sources

6. Check insurance policies to ensure that you are covered in the event of a bonfire/firework related incident
 
Lee Mooney continues: "If you decide to hold a firework party at home you should be covered by your household insurance if anything goes wrong, as long as you don't charge admission. However, do give some thought to where you site your bonfire - don't choose a spot too near the house, garage or garden shed, just in case things get out of hand. And, make sure you sink the bigger fireworks into the ground to the required depth as per their instructions, pointing away from property and people.

"If you damage someone else's property or injure them through your own negligence, then the public liability section of your household contents policy should provide cover for claims made against you.

"However, the easiest and safest way to enjoy Bonfire Night festivities is still to attend an organised event where you will not have to worry about whether you are covered or not."

For those people looking for home insurance ahead of Bonfire Night, The Co-operative Insurance and Shelter have joined forces to help raise £250,000 this winter for the charity's vital work, with £5 being donated to Shelter for every new Co-operative Home Insurance policy purchased.