Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has teamed up with Thames Valley Police to organise a bonfires and fireworks competition. It is open to everyone between the ages of eight and 18. All entries received will win a free gift!

Simply read the information below and then answer the questions which follow it. Post or email your answers, along with your name, address, age and the name of the school you attend, to: Community Safety, High Wycombe Fire Station, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 2HE. The closing date is Friday 17 November 2006.

You could be in with a chance of winning £25 worth of gift vouchers for a store of your choice!

Enjoy your bonfire and firework night safely!

Watching fireworks can be great fun, but figures show that more often than not it's children rather than adults who get hurt.

Nearly 1,000 firework related injuries required hospital treatment in 2004, with five per cent of these being “serious”. 

It is an offence to throw fireworks in the street under section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875.  Anyone found guilty is liable to a fine of up to £5000. 

Under Section 1 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any animals.

The penalty on conviction is a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months’ imprisonment. 

The new curfew on the use of fireworks is between 11pm and 7am, with the exception of 5 November, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali night.

Be safe - follow these easy rules:

Bonfires

• Build bonfires at least 18 metres (60ft) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds
• Use domestic firelighters
• Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids

Fireworks

• Only buy fireworks from a legitimate retailer
• Check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of venue and conform to British Standards (BS)
• Read instructions in daylight
• One person nominated should be responsible for the fireworks

During the display . . .

• Don’t set off noisy fireworks late at night and never after 11pm (except on specified occasions when fireworks must stop at 1am)
• Inform your neighbours of the event
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Light fireworks at arm's length with a taper
• Stand well back and keep others back
• Never go back to a lit firework
• Always supervise children
• Keep pets indoors

Have ready . . .

• Torch for reading instructions
• Bucket of water
• Eye protection and gloves
• Bucket of soft earth to stick fireworks in

Pets

• Fireworks should not be set off near livestock or horses
• Keep dogs, cats and caged animals indoors where possible
• Never take pets to any fireworks displays   

Sparklers

• These are unsuitable for children under five
• Light one at a time
• Wear gloves when holding sparklers
• Put used sparklers in a bucket of sand, water or soft earth

Arson

• Deliberate fires involving rubbish bins are on the increase
• These can quickly spread to nearby homes and place many people in danger
• Don’t store rubbish against your home
• Don’t overfill your rubbish bin
• Be aware of other people putting rubbish into your bin
• Don’t out your bin out until collection day

Simply answer the following six questions

1 How many people are injured by fireworks each year?

a 250 | b 500 | c 1,000

2 What penalty is given to people caught throwing fireworks in the street?

a A warning | b Community Service | c £5,000 fine

3 What penalty is given to people causing distress and/or injuries to animals?

a A warning from RSPCA | b Community Service | c £5,000 fine, up to six months' imprisonment

4 What time do fireworks displays need to finish (except 5 November, New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year, Diwali night)?

a 11pm | b 10pm | c Midnight

5 Which of these could be considered arson?

a Rubbish fire | b Skip fire | c Car fire | d All three examples

6 What is the maximum penalty for arson?

Competition address: Community Safety, High Wycombe Fire Station, St Mary Street, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 2HE. Closing date: Friday 17 November 2006.