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Guy Fawkes Night

Guy Fawkes Night Safety

Image Credit: Joseph Chan

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night, is celebrated on 5th of November each year in the UK. It commemorates the failure of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London by Catholic conspirators in 1605. They had hoped to get rid of Protestant King James I and many of his supporters.

However the plot failed when the authorities were tipped off, and Fawkes, the man responsible for getting 36 barrels of gunpowder into the basement of the Houses of Parliament, was captured, tortured and put to death.

Nowadays, this curiously British reason to celebrate is remembered by parties where a guy is burned on a bonfire and fireworks are let off.

Here are some ideas for celebrating Guy Fawkes Night at home

Safety First

In 2004 the UK government brought in some tough legislation to improve safety and reduce the disruption caused by fireworks night parties around Guy Fawkes Night. These include curfews on when fireworks can be let off, their volume and a ban on under-18's having fireworks in public places.

The Firework Code

When it comes to fireworks, safety is the most important thing. The Fireworks Code give advice on how to keep yourself and your family safe on fireworks night if you are letting off fireworks at home.

For more on Firework safety visit British Fireworks Association website.

Better still, go to an organised fireworks display. You can find many fireworks dispays in the UK listed at ukfireworksdisplays.co.uk

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