How to have a safe bonfire in your garden

It’s the time of year to stock up on marshmallows and get toasting over an open fire! A bonfire in your garden can be great fun. But it’s always important to stay safe. Plus, if you’re selling your home, the last thing you want to do is cause fire damage!

If you’re looking to entertain your family and friends with a garden bonfire this Guy Fawkes night, here are eight tips from the team at Quealy & Co to help keep you safe.

If you fancy letting someone else do the hardwork for you, scroll to the bottom of this article to see fireworks displays and bonfire nights across Kent in 2022!

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1. Pick a Good Spot

To have a safe bonfire, pick a spot that’s away from anything that will burn or set alight if the wind catches the flames. Steer clear of fences, decking, sheds, greenery and – of course – your house!

Make sure you look up as well as around you when picking a spot. The last thing you want to do is burn down your washing line or sever a cable.

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2. Use Safe Fire-Starters

Skip anything dangerous and unpredictable, like aerosol cans, and stick to safe bonfire starters. Things like firelighters and empty egg cartons are great fire-starters that will grow your bonfire slowly and safely.

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3. Burn High-Quality Wood

To keep your guests happy, don’t just chuck any old thing on your garden bonfire! Things like plastic, greenery and rubber can create bad smells and dark smoke.

Stick to burning dry, high-quality firepit logs for an all-round better evening. They’ll last longer and you’ll be able to enjoy seeing the flames, rather than smelling them!

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4. Watch Children and Pets

When the fire’s lit, keep an eye on the kids to avoid accidents. Some animals find the sound and smell of a bonfire distressing, so keep them inside or somewhere safe. Rabbits or guinea pigs that live outside should also be brought indoors to keep them away from the smoke and noise.

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5. Supervise!

Treat your bonfire like your child and make sure it’s supervised at all times. A fire left unattended can easily spiral out of control, so keep an eye on it and nominate someone else to watch the flames if you need to head inside.

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6. Keep a Hose or Bucket of Water Nearby

Prevention is always key, but if things get out of control with your garden bonfire, you want to be prepared to act immediately. One of the best ways to have a safe bonfire in your back garden is to keep a hose or a bucket of water nearby. You can use it if something goes wrong or to dampen the fire slightly if the flames get too big.

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7. Make Sure It’s Completely Out

Embers in your fire can easily set alight again in the wind – even if you’ve just watched it die out. Before you head inside for the night, sprinkle your firepit with water to make sure it’s completely out.

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8. Call for Help if You Need It

Even if you take precautions to keep your bonfire under control, accidents happen and things can go wrong. If your bonfire gets out of hand, call for help if you need it. It’s always better to call sooner rather than trying to tackle an inferno yourself.

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Celebrating With a Bonfire?

If you’re celebrating the end of an era in your home with toasted marshmallows, toffee apples and a bonfire, we’d love to talk – and not just because we love sweet treats! At Quealy & Co, we’re experts in selling homes Sittingbourne, Sheerness, Minster, Faversham, Canterbury, Rainham, Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester and Maidstone.

Call us 01795 429836 or email hello@quealy.co.uk to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team about anything to do with moving home. 

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Would you prefer to go to an organised bonfire night in Kent?

After years of cancellations, fireworks are back with a bang - and you certainly won’t want to miss them. KentOnline have rounded up the best displays in the county taking place in 2022, from larger-than-life spectaculars to local charity events, and everything in between.

CLICK HERE to see what's on!