Avoid being a
bonfire bandit this autumn
As the darker nights
draw in, East Cambridgeshire District Council is advising residents to avoid
being a bonfire bandit this autumn.
While bonfires are
often considered a welcome opportunity to get rid of garden waste there is lots
to consider before striking a match.
Check for hedgehogs
This time of year,
hedgehogs are looking for safe places to hibernate and piled up garden rubbish
can provide the ideal nesting place. Always remember to check bonfires before
setting fire to them. Consider providing a dedicated hedgehog house in your garden,
which offers safe nesting accommodation.
Pull out pallets
It may be tempting to
stack up piles of unwanted wooden pallets on your bonfire, but many contain
preservatives that mean burning them pollutes the environment. Disposal of them
is also regarded as commercial waste, which requires a proper licence to dispose
of.
To burn pallets
legally you need to ensure you have prior permission from the Environment
Agency.
Avoid oil-based
products
Oil-based wastes, such
as tyres, plastics, furnishings and polystyrene should not be burned under any
circumstances, as these are harmful to the environment. You should also avoid
dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins and batteries.
Don’t fuel the risk
of a fire
Bonfires can easily
get out of hand, particularly during windy weather. Advice from Cambridgeshire
Fire and Rescue Service is to think twice about having a bonfire. If you do
decide to go ahead they advise you to build them well away from fences, hedges and
sheds.
Never use flammable
liquids to start a fire.
You should also never
leave a bonfire unattended and always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe
nearby in case of fire.
Don’t smoke out the
neighbours
Burning damp
vegetation can cause thick smoke, which can cause a nuisance for neighbours.
The council provides a
green bin collection service which allows you to dispose of garden waste
without the need for burning.
Composting is a
natural alternative to burning which reduces the amount of waste sent to
landfill and is a cost-effective way of improving your soil fertility. Visit
our composting web page for further advice
Alternatively, visit
an organised display that should have taken all the above precautions in
advance.
More information about
bonfires is available on our website.