Teanga:

Menu
halloween bonfire

Keeping Halloween enjoyable and safe

With its mix of age-old traditions and family events, Halloween is a time to look forward to. Local authorities play an important role throughout, supporting community activities and encouraging people to stay safe and have fun responsibly.

Dáta

While Halloween promises enjoyment, it's a busy time for fire services. 

Bonfires can be bad news

Local authorities support community life and always encourage people to come together in celebration, but they have good reasons to discourage bonfires.

Bonfire material - often assembled from discarded items, furniture or pallets - can burn in unpredictable ways and cause people serious injuries.  Out-of-control bonfires mean Halloween is always a busy night for fire crews.  And the higher number of the callouts on the night can make it harder for fire services to respond to incidents elsewhere quickly.

Bonfires damage local environments. Parks, greens and play areas can take months to recover from burning. Nearby trees, fencing and homes can also be damaged by the heat and sparks. While local authorities respond to the aftermath as promptly as they can, scorched ground can take months to re-green.

To minimise the risk to people and property, local authorities try to clear stockpiles of bonfire materials in advance. They ask for co-operation from the public to report stockpiles before Halloween night. If you spot a stockpile in your area you can let your local authority know about it and they will take action. This will help keep people and property safe.

Fireworks

Fireworks are another common element at Halloween that can pose danger. While it is illegal to use fireworks in Ireland without a licence - and Gardai carry out annual operations that target supply - realistically there will be some present over the season. The advice from the fire services is to avoid them entirely. As an alternative, try to plan or take part in fun events that don't involve fireworks.

Fireworks are not just a hazard to humans. Pets too are often frightened by the noise and flashes from fireworks. Dog wardens and animal welfare officers in local authorities advise keeping pets indoors during Halloween, creating a quiet space where they feel safe, and closing windows and curtains to reduce noise.  

Event to enjoy

There are plenty of fun - and safe - things to do around the country this Halloween. Kerry's Samhain Chiarraí for example brings towns and villages together for events rooted in local folklore. In Meath, the Púca festival brings four nights of music and spectacle to Trim castle. While in Dublin, there is a packed programme of activities taking place in various locations across the city. These examples show how local councils help communities celebrate while encouraging them to stay safe.

Resources