Bonfire Night preparations could put wildlife at risk if people fail to check their fires before lighting them, the RSPCA has warned. The charity is urging households to follow its advice to protect animals that may be hiding among garden waste and logs.
In its guidance, the RSPCA says: "Autumn brings with it the arrival of Bonfire Night for us, and hibernation for some wild animals. Unfortunately, our celebrations can have severe consequences on their welfare."
Which animals are at risk?
At-risk animals include hedgehogs, dormice, frogs and toads, which may take refuge in bonfire materials, leaving them vulnerable when the flames are lit. Hedgehogs are preparing for winter at this time of year and can use piles of leaves, sticks and logs as places to nest or hibernate.
According to the RSPCA, animals caught in a fire can be seriously injured or killed, making checks before lighting essential.
How to make bonfires safer
The charity recommends building a bonfire on the same day it will be lit, reducing the chance of wildlife moving into the pile. People should also choose a clear spot, away from places such as leaf piles where hedgehogs may already be sheltering.
If a bonfire has been built in advance, the RSPCA advises checking for animals and following its guidance to prevent them entering the pile. Chicken wire, positioned at an angle around the base, can help deter hedgehogs from climbing into a prepared bonfire, but the pile must still be checked thoroughly before it is lit.
Checking the pile before lighting
A careful inspection is vital immediately before lighting, using a torch and a broom handle or pole to gently lift sections of the pile. The charity warns against using forks, rakes or other pronged tools, which could injure an animal hidden inside.
Moving the whole pile by hand immediately before lighting is the most thorough way to check for wildlife, the RSPCA says. Once the checks are complete, the fire should be lit from one side rather than the centre, leaving an escape route from the unlit section for any animal that has been missed.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is also encouraging people to follow its "Stop, Move, Check" approach this Bonfire Night. It suggests considering a community event or another way of celebrating, and, if having a bonfire, moving stored materials shortly before burning and checking the entire pile.
Anyone who finds an injured hedgehog should seek veterinary help and follow advice from an animal welfare organisation on handling it safely. The RSPCA also recommends creating safer gardens for hedgehogs by providing suitable shelter, leaving out fresh water and checking garden materials before using them.
