DON'T play with fire this Bonfire Night says Lancashire's fire chief.

Peter Holland, chief fire officer of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, is urging the public to stay safe in his annual November 5 message.

"Bonfire Night is traditionally a busy evening for us and last year was no exception, in spite of heavy rain, with 112 bonfires to extinguish that had got out of control," he said. "This was preceded by a month-long spate of 357 similar fires throughout Lancashire.

"We are not alone in seeing our workload soar at this time of year in our efforts to maintain public safety and deal with the consequences of Bonfire Night.

"Firework injuries keep Lancashire hospital's A & E departments among the busiest in the country.

"On October 18 last year 18-year-old Paul Ridge from Burnley was killed by a firework -- the first death caused by a firework in the UK in the past five years.

"Follow our firework and bonfire safety advice and keep yourself and your family out of harm's way."

FIREWORK SAFETY

Buy fireworks that meet BS7114 and keep them in a closed box.

Read the instructions on the firework and do what they say.

Light fireworks at arm's length using a taper and never a naked flame.

Stand well back.

Never go back to a firework once it's been lit.

Never put fireworks in pockets.

A sparkler burns at a temperature five times higher than the coals of the barbecue. Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves to hold them.

Never give sparklers to children and keep pets indoors.

BONFIRE SAFETY

Wherever possible, attend a properly organised bonfire and firework display.

If a bonfire is set to be at home, a responsible adult must be in control.

Set the fire well away from property, overhanging trees, cables and combustible materials.

Wood for the fire should be kept away from it and only small quantities added at a time.

Do not burn rubbish such as aerosol cans, tins of paint or bottles -- these are likely to explode and can cause severe injury to bystanders.

Don't use petrol, paraffin or white spirit to light bonfires.

When the bonfire is over, douse the embers with water and check the surrounding area for signs of small fires which may have started.