Bonfires and Sant Joan festival safely

Salou. Costa Dorada. 15 June 2024. Fire is the main protagonist of the Sant Joan estival and many major festivals in Catalonia. That is why it is important to remember some safety tips about bonfires, participation in “correfoc” and the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic material. Some basic tips are as follows:

About the bonfires:

• Don't jump over the coals
• Private bonfires require permission from the city council
• The bonfire cannot be less than 15 meters from buildings
• A bonfire on the street must have dirt underneath to avoid damaging the pavement and must leave a path open for emergency vehicles.
• To make a bonfire on a plot, you must first clear it of brush and/or flammable materials.
• Do not burn plastics or fabrics, which can fly away, or cans or drums, which can explode.
• Do not use gasoline or flammable liquid to light the bonfire
• Do not make a very large bonfire and have materials on hand to put it out (buckets of water, hose, fire extinguishers, etc.)
• Watch the bonfire until it is completely extinguished
• Pick up terrace awnings so they don't turn on
• Close windows and balconies so that sparks or stray rockets or firecrackers do not enter.
• If it is windy, it is better to leave the bonfire for next year

Tips for participating in a “correfoc”

• If you want to participate in a “correfoc” follow the organization's instructions at all times
• Wear appropriate clothing (preferably cotton, long pants and sleeves, cloth hat, well-closed shoes)
• Avoid crowds
• Do not leave parked vehicles or obstacles that could hinder the passage of the “correfoc”
• Pick up hanging clothes and awnings so they don't catch fire
• Close windows and balconies tightly and protect the openings so that no sparks, rockets or firecrackers can enter.

Tips for setting off fireworks and firecrackers safely:

• Find out if the City Council has delimited an area to launch firecrackers
• Buy pyrotechnic material in authorized establishments
• Follow the instructions for each pyrotechnic item
• Do not keep rockets or firecrackers in your pockets
• Do not ignite pyrotechnic material by holding it with your hands.
• Do not bring them close to your body or eyes
• Use wicks or similar material to light firecrackers and rockets
• Don't set off firecrackers at anyone
• If a firecracker or rocket does not light or does not light well, do not touch it immediately. Wait half an hour and soak it.
• Do not launch rockets where there are festivals or crowds of people
• Do not light firecrackers inside a house, or from balconies or windows
• Do not handle or light firecrackers near flammable liquids or within 500 meters of wooded areas.
• Do not put firecrackers inside other objects such as bricks or bottles, because when they explode they make shrapnel and can cause a lot of damage.

If noise bothers you a lot

• Find out if the city council has delimited an area for throwing fireworks and avoid it
• Use noise canceling headphones

Protect pets from firecrackers
Dogs and cats suffer especially from firecrackers and fireworks, for this reason we recommend:

• Prepare an area at home that is as isolated as possible and put all your things there
• Try to calm your pet
• Leave the radio or TV on to muffle outside noise

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