RSPCA ‘severe consequences’ alert ahead of Bonfire Night

RSPCA ‘severe consequences’ alert ahead of Bonfire Night The animal welfare charity has issued an urgent warning ahead of November 5 Anyone planning a Bonfire Night celebration has been urged to take extra care before lighting a fire, with the RSPCA warning that hedgehogs and other wildlife could be seriously harmed. The animal welfare charity has issued advice on how to make bonfires safer as wild animals seek shelter ahead of the colder months. The RSPCA said: "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." Hedgehogs, along with dormice, frogs, toads and insects, can hide among piles of wood, leaves and other natural materials used to build a bonfire. Hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable because a heap of branches and garden waste can appear to be an ideal place to nest or hibernate. If a fire is lit without checking properly, animals may be trapped in the flames and suffer serious burns or die. The charity’s advice is to build a bonfire on the day it is due to be lit, rather than leaving a pile of materials standing in the garden for days. The longer it remains in place, the more opportunity wildlife has to move inside and settle down. Anyone who has to prepare a bonfire in advance should check it carefully and take steps to stop animals getting in, following the RSPCA’s guidance. Before lighting it, people should gently lift sections with a broom handle or similar pole and use a torch to inspect the pile, taking care not to injure any hidden animals. A fork or rake should not be used to probe the bonfire, as its prongs could harm a hedgehog or other creature. The RSPCA says the most thorough approach is to move the entire pile by hand immediately before lighting, checking the materials as they are moved. When the bonfire is ready, it should be lit from one side or corner rather than from the middle, giving any animal missed during the checks a chance to escape from the unlit side. People should also listen carefully, as a disturbed hedgehog may make a hissing sound. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society offers similar advice through its “Stop, Move, Check” message, encouraging people to consider whether they need a bonfire at all. If a fire is necessary, the charity recommends moving the materials to a new site just before burning and checking the whole pile thoroughly. For anyone who discovers an injured hedgehog, the RSPCA advises taking it to a vet, while its wildlife guidance explains how to handle an animal in need safely. Taking a few minutes to check a bonfire could prevent a celebration from becoming a disaster for wildlife.