Bonfire Night in a Block of Flats: 5 Things Every Resident Should Know

Bonfire Night can be a bright and enjoyable evening, whether you are visiting an organised display or watching fireworks from home. In a block of flats, though, a little extra consideration goes a long way.

You are living close to neighbours, with shared entrances, balconies, communal gardens, bin stores and escape routes all part of the same environment. Here are five simple things every Essex resident should keep in mind.

1. Keep fireworks away from balconies and shared areas

The simplest rule is also the most important: never set off, light or store fireworks on a balcony or in a communal area.

A stray firework or spark can reach a neighbouring flat within seconds. Balconies are also part of the building’s structure, with windows, doors and escape routes often close by. Even a small amount of combustible material, such as outdoor furniture, packaging or dry plants, can make a situation worse.

The same applies to communal entrances, corridors, stairwells and shared gardens. These are not suitable places for residents to light fireworks or hold an informal bonfire.

If you are thinking about a display in a communal garden, check your lease, the block’s rules and any local authority requirements first. You would also need the freeholder or managing agent’s permission, appropriate safety arrangements and enough space to keep people, buildings, vehicles and escape routes well clear.

For most residents, the safest and easiest choice is to attend an organised local display. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service recommends attending a formal display where possible.

What about fireworks in the street?

Fireworks should not be set off in a public street or on a public thoroughfare. They should also never be used near parked cars, building entrances, windows, trees, fences or bin stores.

If you see fireworks being used dangerously near the block, keep your distance and report an immediate risk to the emergency services. Do not put yourself in harm’s way by trying to intervene.

2. Make the evening easier for pets

Pets are one of the things residents most often ask about before Bonfire Night. Dogs, cats and other animals can find sudden bangs and flashes unsettling, particularly when they are close to the building.

A few small preparations can make the evening calmer:

• Walk dogs earlier, before fireworks are likely to begin.

• Keep dogs, cats and other pets indoors once it gets dark.

• Close windows, balcony doors and curtains.

• Put on the television or radio at a comfortable volume to soften outside noise.

• Give pets a familiar, quiet place where they can hide or settle.

• Make sure dogs have identification and that contact details are up to date.

• Keep animals away from balconies, communal gardens, fireworks and any debris afterwards.

You do not need to create a completely silent home. Familiar background noise and your usual calm routine can help pets feel secure.

If you have a small outdoor animal, such as a rabbit or guinea pig, check that it has extra bedding and shelter. It is also worth checking the animal again after the fireworks have finished.

For more detailed guidance, read the government’s advice on fireworks and animals.

3. Be considerate about smoke and noise

Fireworks can create smoke that drifts between buildings, through open windows or towards balconies. If smoke starts entering your flat, close the windows and doors on that side of the property and draw the curtains.

If the smoke is heavy, continues for a long period or appears to be coming from a fire, move away from the affected area and contact the emergency services if there is immediate danger.

Noise is another part of the evening to consider. A short display is very different from repeated fireworks late into the night. Babies, older residents, people who work night shifts, people with sensory sensitivities and those with anxious pets may all be affected.

On 5 November, fireworks are generally allowed until midnight. On other evenings, the usual cut-off is 11pm. Fireworks should not be used in a way that causes danger, distress or unreasonable disturbance.

If noise continues or becomes persistent, use the block’s normal reporting route. This might be your managing agent, resident portal, concierge or nominated RMC contact. Reporting it properly creates a clear record and gives the management team an opportunity to respond.

It is usually better to avoid confronting neighbours directly on the night. A calm, formal route helps protect good relations and keeps the focus on resolving the problem.

For general information about nuisance and anti-social behaviour, see Essex County Council’s guidance.

4. Treat the bin store as a no-firework zone

Bin stores can contain a large amount of combustible material, including cardboard, packaging and household waste. They should remain firmly closed and clear of fireworks, hot ash, sparklers and other ignition sources.

Please remember to:

• Keep bin store doors closed.

• Never store fireworks, bonfire materials or fuel in the bin store.

• Do not move bins close to entrances, windows or the building.

• Keep loose packaging and rubbish out of shared areas.

• Never place warm embers or ash in a bin.

• Report a damaged door, broken lock or fire-related damage as soon as possible.

A fire in or beside a bin store can affect the building quickly, particularly where smoke is able to travel towards entrances, windows or communal corridors. Essex Fire and Rescue Service provides further advice on storing rubbish safely.

If bins have been moved or overloaded during the evening, report it to the management team the next morning. A quick inspection can identify damage before it becomes a larger repair or compliance issue.

5. Use sparklers carefully and check the block the next morning

Sparklers may look harmless, but they burn at a very high temperature. Keep them away from doors, entrance canopies, balconies, dry plants and other shared areas.

Never give sparklers to children under five. Older children should be closely supervised, and everyone handling sparklers should follow the packaging instructions.

When a sparkler has finished, place it in a bucket of water. Do not drop it on the pavement, leave it near a communal entrance or put it straight into a bin store. A sparkler can remain hot after it appears to have gone out.

The following morning, take a quick look around your immediate surroundings. Report:

• Scorch marks on walls, doors, fences or balcony surfaces.

• Broken glass or damaged windows.

• Damage to door entry systems.

• Firework debris near entrances or walkways.

• Damage to bin store doors, locks or roofs.

• Any obstruction to a shared route or fire exit.

Please use your block’s normal repair or emergency reporting process. If there is an active fire or immediate danger, call 999 rather than waiting for the managing agent.

A short reminder for leaseholders and RMC directors

Bonfire Night is a good opportunity to remind residents that shared areas must stay clear. This supports the building’s fire safety arrangements and helps protect the communal parts covered by the buildings insurance.

A short, friendly notice in the entrance hall a few days beforehand can make a significant difference. It could remind residents about balcony safety, pets, bin stores, noise and the correct reporting route.

For more guidance on why shared areas need to remain unobstructed, see our article on the fire safety reason behind keeping communal areas clear.

With a little preparation and consideration, Bonfire Night can be enjoyed safely while keeping the block calm, welcoming and ready for the bright winter season ahead.