Bonfire Night: legal checklist for farms and estates
Before 5 November: plan and prevent
- Confirm local events. What displays are planned in your area? Ask organisers for details. NB wind-sensitive fall-out zones and proximity to livestock buildings and fields.
- Assess stock vulnerability. Prioritise high-risk groups. Plan to move them to secure, sheltered enclosures away from likely disturbance.
- Secure boundaries. Walk fences and gates along highways and neighbouring properties. Repair weaknesses. Record the checks with dated photos.
- Coordinate with neighbours. Provide your contact details and ask organisers to warn you of last-minute timing changes. Request lower-noise fireworks where practicable.
- Prepare the yard. Remove hazards from handling areas, check lighting, and ensure water and forage availability to reduce stress. Brief staff on monitoring duties and emergency response.
- Update insurance. Review livestock and public liability cover, confirm notification time limits, and save 24/7 claims contact details.
On the day: monitor and mitigate
- Move and settle animals. Relocate vulnerable stock earlier in the day. Feed and settle before dusk. Consider leaving low-level lighting in yards or sheds.
- Control exposure. Shut stable doors, close windows in poultry houses, and pen animals away from boundary lines near the display.
- Stay alert. Allocate staff to monitor during the display and for a period afterwards. Keep a phone handy for rapid contact with organisers or authorities.
- Log conditions. Note wind, visibility and any debris fall-out. Record start and end times of disturbances.
After the display: check and record
- Inspect stock and boundaries. Walk fields and buildings, looking for injuries, agitated behaviour or escape attempts. Photograph any debris and collect samples safely.
- Document impacts. Keep a brief, dated log of animal behaviour, any veterinary interventions, and time spent by staff.
- Engage constructively. If there were issues, notify the organiser promptly and factually to agree prevention, mitigation or improvements needed for any future event.
If an incident occurs:
Notify insurers immediately:
Many policies require prompt or immediate notice; do not wait to quantify loss. Provide a factual summary, photographs, video, vet reports and witness details.
Preserve evidence:
Do not discard fireworks debris; bag and label items with location and time found. Keep damaged fencing or take clear photographs before repairs. Save call logs and messages with organisers or neighbours.
Record details of what caused the incident:
Note the timing of the display versus the incident, wind direction, and any unusual factors. Obtain a brief statement from staff or neighbours who observed events.
Mitigate further loss:
Take reasonable steps to prevent additional harm, such as temporary fencing or moving stock, and keep receipts for emergency spend.
Coordinate with authorities as needed:
If there is a highway hazard or public safety concern, contact the police or local authority promptly and record the incident number.
For more information, please see our article here: Fireworks, livestock, and liability: what risks and duties do farmers and event organisers need to be aware of? or contact Maddie Dunn.
