Departament d’Hisenda i Funció Pública (Department of Finance and Public Function)

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Recommendations when lighting bonfires or taking part in correfocs (fire runs)

The Consell de Mallorca’s Emergency Service is carrying out preventive actions now that Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià are coming up

The Bombers de Mallorca focus a large part of their work on carrying out preventive actions to avoid accidents and emergencies. At the beginning of the year, with the traditional festivities related to fire, the Emergency Service of the Consell de Mallorca is carrying out a series of preventive actions during the festivities to reduce the risk of accidents and fires during the events. These preventive actions are aimed at town councils and the general public to advise the correfocs (fire runs) or the lighting of bonfires.

When lighting bonfires, it is important to be clear that they should be placed in open spaces and free of hazardous elements, as well as following the advice below:

• The bonfires must be set up on a bed of sand to protect the urban pavement because the fire can cause material damage and personal injury.

Weather conditions, especially wind, must be taken into account.
Bonfires should not be placed near façades, vehicles, vegetation, electricity grids or street furniture. As a guideline, 15 metres is considered to be a prudent safety distance. The maximum height of the installation is 3 metres.
The fire must not be lit with petrol or flammable products.
Pyrotechnic material, flammable liquids or sprays must not be thrown into the fire, due to the risk of fire or personal injury by deflagration.
Do not throw paper or fabrics on the fire, because the wind can blow them away and spread the fire further if they fall on inflammable urban elements (curtains, awnings, plastic covers, etc.).
Waste such as tyres, plastic or rubber products or oils should not be thrown into the fire, as they pollute and give off toxic gases. In addition, the embers are contaminated and cannot be used for twisting.
Keep a safe distance from the fire, do not jump over it and do not play with it. Children must be supervised at all times.
Confirm that the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the site.
About the correfocs, a series of recommendations must be taken into account when taking part in a party with demonic:

Wear cotton clothing, trousers, long sleeves, closed shoes and a cap or scarf on your head. It is also advisable to wear earplugs and glasses to protect your eyes.
You must adopt a correct attitude towards the demonic and not put obstacles in their way.
If you are accompanied by children or people with reduced mobility, you must follow the party from a prudent distance.
Do not touch, pick up or handle pyrotechnic devices.
If for any reason an attendee’s clothes catch fire, he/she must not run but must drop to the ground and roll over to extinguish the flames. They should immediately call 112.
The island’s director of Emergencies, Joan Fornàs, wanted to recall “the ongoing work that the Bombers de Mallorca do in prevention and raising public awareness. Keeping the public well informed is essential to prevent accidents and emergencies from occurring. The primary objective of the Bombers de Mallorca is the safety of Mallorcans.