Clare Local Authorities and Clare Fire and Rescue Service have issued a joint appeal in the run up to Halloween urging members of the public not to supply any waste material to persons who do not hold a valid waste collection permit.
In 2011, the Fire and Rescue Service answered seven bonfire-related over the Halloween period with an associated cost of over €10,000. Substantial costs were also incurred in removing bonfire waste materials and cleaning up after bonfires had taken place.
The uncontrolled burning of waste, particularly in bonfires, is illegal under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, and The Waste Management Acts, 1996-2011. The burning of waste also releases toxic pollutants into the air which are known to be damaging to public health and the environment.
“Bonfires are often built close to houses and other property presenting risks to personal safety and property,” explained Anne Haugh, Director of Services, Clare County Council.
Ms. Haugh added: “I am appealing to the public to work with the staff of Clare Local Authorities and Clare Fire and Rescue Service during the forthcoming Halloween festivities and I wish to remind the public that there are significant risks arising from bonfires, including the illegal nature of the activity, the adverse effects on the local community and the negative impact on the general environment.”
Adrian Kelly, Clare Chief Fire Officer, stated: “Halloween is one the busiest times of the year for the fire service and responding to bonfire call outs creates a strain on existing resources. I would appeal to members of the public to be more aware of the fire safety hazards that arise from illegal bonfires, where the burning of highly combustible materials can lead to serious injuries or death.”
Meanwhile, the Fire Service is advising members of public not to buy, use or supply fireworks. According to Mr, Kelly: “Illegal fireworks may be manufactured without safety standards and can cause serious damage to users, particularly children. Parents should monitor their children and ensure they do not play with fireworks. Throughout the country every year children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life, after using illegal fireworks.”
“In the period before and during Halloween, Clare Local Authorities and the County Fire and Rescue Services will be assisted by An Garda Síochána to closely monitor the situation around Clare,” Mr. Kelly concluded.
Fire Service tips for a safe Halloween 2012:
• If you see material such as wooden pallets, tyres, old furniture or other combustible materials or waste being hoarded in advance of Halloween the waste enforcement section of Clare County Council can be contacted on 065 6846331 or via the free phone waste and litter hotline on 1800 606 706 or by emailing wasteandlitter@clarecoco.ie.
• Do not leave material lying around that may be taken for use in a bonfire; many garage or garden shed items such as petrol, white spirits, diesel, aerosols, batteries, tins of paint, bottles and tyres are especially dangerous if set on fire.
• Parents, businesses and householders should not provide any materials for bonfires.
• Do not facilitate illegal bonfires or firework displays on or near your home or property.
• Explain the dangers of illegal bonfires and fireworks to children and teenagers.
• Keep pets indoors on Halloween night – they are sensitive to noise.
• Respect the work of the Emergency Services, Local Authorities’ Staff and the Gardaí.
• Contact the Fire and Rescue Service by calling 999 or 112 if you see a bonfire being lit close to buildings, trees, overhead cables, underground services or car parking areas.
Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, 2007-2008, all persons engaged in waste collection must hold a valid waste collection permit. Any person wishing to confirm the legitimacy of a waste collector should ask the collector for their waste collection permit number and proceed to check it online on their Local Authority website, or, alternatively, contact their relevant Authority’s waste enforcement section. Be aware that it is a criminal offence to give your waste to any individual who does not hold a current and valid waste collection permit.
In 2011, the Fire and Rescue Service answered seven bonfire-related over the Halloween period with an associated cost of over €10,000. Substantial costs were also incurred in removing bonfire waste materials and cleaning up after bonfires had taken place.
The uncontrolled burning of waste, particularly in bonfires, is illegal under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, and The Waste Management Acts, 1996-2011. The burning of waste also releases toxic pollutants into the air which are known to be damaging to public health and the environment.
“Bonfires are often built close to houses and other property presenting risks to personal safety and property,” explained Anne Haugh, Director of Services, Clare County Council.
Ms. Haugh added: “I am appealing to the public to work with the staff of Clare Local Authorities and Clare Fire and Rescue Service during the forthcoming Halloween festivities and I wish to remind the public that there are significant risks arising from bonfires, including the illegal nature of the activity, the adverse effects on the local community and the negative impact on the general environment.”
Adrian Kelly, Clare Chief Fire Officer, stated: “Halloween is one the busiest times of the year for the fire service and responding to bonfire call outs creates a strain on existing resources. I would appeal to members of the public to be more aware of the fire safety hazards that arise from illegal bonfires, where the burning of highly combustible materials can lead to serious injuries or death.”
Meanwhile, the Fire Service is advising members of public not to buy, use or supply fireworks. According to Mr, Kelly: “Illegal fireworks may be manufactured without safety standards and can cause serious damage to users, particularly children. Parents should monitor their children and ensure they do not play with fireworks. Throughout the country every year children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life, after using illegal fireworks.”
“In the period before and during Halloween, Clare Local Authorities and the County Fire and Rescue Services will be assisted by An Garda Síochána to closely monitor the situation around Clare,” Mr. Kelly concluded.
Fire Service tips for a safe Halloween 2012:
• If you see material such as wooden pallets, tyres, old furniture or other combustible materials or waste being hoarded in advance of Halloween the waste enforcement section of Clare County Council can be contacted on 065 6846331 or via the free phone waste and litter hotline on 1800 606 706 or by emailing wasteandlitter@clarecoco.ie.
• Do not leave material lying around that may be taken for use in a bonfire; many garage or garden shed items such as petrol, white spirits, diesel, aerosols, batteries, tins of paint, bottles and tyres are especially dangerous if set on fire.
• Parents, businesses and householders should not provide any materials for bonfires.
• Do not facilitate illegal bonfires or firework displays on or near your home or property.
• Explain the dangers of illegal bonfires and fireworks to children and teenagers.
• Keep pets indoors on Halloween night – they are sensitive to noise.
• Respect the work of the Emergency Services, Local Authorities’ Staff and the Gardaí.
• Contact the Fire and Rescue Service by calling 999 or 112 if you see a bonfire being lit close to buildings, trees, overhead cables, underground services or car parking areas.
Under the Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, 2007-2008, all persons engaged in waste collection must hold a valid waste collection permit. Any person wishing to confirm the legitimacy of a waste collector should ask the collector for their waste collection permit number and proceed to check it online on their Local Authority website, or, alternatively, contact their relevant Authority’s waste enforcement section. Be aware that it is a criminal offence to give your waste to any individual who does not hold a current and valid waste collection permit.
