Bonfire night takes place Sunday 5th November, and with firework displays happening up and down the country, many will be leaving their homes unattended. The security experts at ADT reveal how to keep your home safe this year and how to have a safe firework display at home. 

Michele Bennett, General Manager at ADT UK&I Subscriber says: “When the clocks go back at the end of October and Bonfire Night approaches, November is statistically the worst time of year for burglaries, with burglaries increasing by 26 per cent. While bonfire night is on November 5th it is a prime evening for break-ins as people can confuse the sound of smashing glass with fireworks.

Top tips on securing your home on Bonfire Night:

1. Secure the entrances to your home

Make sure the entrances of your house are locked whether you are at home or out for a party or fireworks show. If you're having a party at home and everyone is in the back garden huddled around the patio fire and watching fireworks. It can be easy to forget to lock the front door or side gate while guests are coming and going, and an open window at the front of what looks to be an empty house could pose as an open invitation for an opportunistic burglar.

2. Keep the lights on

The front of the house should always have lights on, both inside and outside, to prevent potential burglars. If you have gone out for the evening you can turn your lights on and off using smart plugs. Keep in mind that darkness offers protection to potential intruders.

3. Capture the moment 

Security cameras and video doorbells continue to be the most effective ways to deter burglars from your house, and reports suggest that a home with one is far less likely to be broken into than a home without. Your bonfire night thief does not want to be seen or recorded by the camera.

4. Get an alarm installed

The bell box on the front of your house will act as a visible deterrent. ADT’s Burglar Alarm System has touch screen control, clever ADT Smart Services connectivity and a deterrent siren, this user-friendly alarm system provides maximum peace of mind. Your alarm is also professionally monitored 24/7, so you, your keyholders or even the police are informed if your alarm is triggered. 

While we would always recommend going to an official display to enjoy fireworks, if you do have your own display at home you should take notice of some simple safety measures:

1. Always read the instructions first but never by a naked flame; instead, read them during the day or with a flashlight. 

2. You should never go back to a firework once it has been lit, and never throw a firework or put it in your pocket. 

3. Using a safety firework lighter or fuse wick, light fireworks at arm's length while maintaining a safe distance between you and the fireworks. 

4. When collecting the fireworks once used, take care and put them in a metal container, cover them with water, and properly dispose of them.

5. Wear gloves when using sparklers because they can reach temperatures of 100°C. 

6. Make sure children are always supervised with sparklers. 

7. Keep sparklers at a safe distance from others and avoid waving them close to people. 

8. Used sparklers should be disposed of in a bucket of sand or water.

Michele continues: “However you decide to celebrate bonfire night this year, ensure you take the necessary precautions to have a safe celebration.”