Indeed, numbers of the animal have fallen by a whopping 30 per cent in the last 13 years, with an unknown number of hedgehogs dying or suffering injuries in bonfire piles every single November.
Advertisement
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is up to four times busier on November 5 than any other night of the year.
From 2009 to 2013, the number of secondary fires across Scotland (outdoor fires including grassland and refuse fires) during the bonfire period averaged 2,668.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is appealing to young people to avoid serious injury, or even death, from playing with fireworks and lighting bonfires during half-tern holidays.
“If anyone can’t attend an organised event and is planning a firework party at home, then please follow a few basic precautions to make sure you and your family stay safe”.
Steve Hargreaves, the charity’s regional director, said: “St John Ambulance is keen that people enjoy Bonfire Night but don’t end their celebrations in hospital”.
The most common injuries that the charity’s volunteers are required to treat at Bonfire Night gatherings are burns, from fireworks, fire or sparklers; debris in the eye from bonfires and fireworks and smoke inhalation.
“They are the safest type of displays, have the best facilities and offer the best value for money”.
Always supervise children around fireworks.
Dogs Trust Shoreham rehoming centre manager Tracey Rae said: “Many dogs are anxious by the loud bangs of fireworks and Prince is so terrified that we will be doing everything we can to ensure he relaxes and stays calm on fireworks night”.
“If people are aware of this happening they should report it to the police or trading standards”.
Advertisement
This includes information about bonfire and fireworks safety, which has a bonfire and fireworks safety leaflet which can be downloaded.
