Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is supporting a new initiative from Warwick District Council to improve bonfire night safety.

The aim of the firework display registration scheme is to help keep local residents and spectators safe while they enjoy organised bonfire and firework displays. Previously firework displays have not been regulated and checks have been carried out only when requested.

As part of the new scheme, organisers of community events will have to register the event on-line via the district council. A council health and safety inspector, will visit then visit the site with Warwickshire’s Fire and Rescue Service, to give advice and guidance on safety procedures, safe distances from the fireworks and the bonfire which will help you to run your event more safely.

To apply for the scheme, all you need to do is download a registration application form from the council’s website www.warwickdc.gov.uk/fireworks, fill it in and return it to the council. An appointment will be made to come and visit you.

If everything is satisfactory the organiser will be issued with a certificate of registration and your event will be added to a list of Registered Firework/Bonfire Displays on the Council Website. This will allow members of the public to check whether a firework display they intend to visit has been registered under this voluntary scheme.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Services Community Safety and Youth Development Manager, Moreno Francioso, said: “Firework and bonfire displays do pose significant risk of injury to spectators if they are poorly planned and organised. In November 2011, two spectators suffered burn injuries, after fireworks were set up unsafely at a local display. This resulted in the organiser, having to pay fines and costs totalling nearly £9,500, after being prosecuted by the council for breaches of health and safety legislation.

“The aim of this scheme is to reduce injuries at these types of events and to ensure that those attending can do so safely. It is also hoped that it will reduce the number of nuisance fire we generally see over the bonfire night period.”

Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Councillor Richard Hobbs, said: “I am really pleased to support this new initiative. Firework displays and bonfires are a real cause of concern for the fire and rescue service, so to have them supported in this way with a partnership approach with Warwick District Council is a real step forward to protecting the residents of Warwickshire.”

For further information on fire safety visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/firesafety