Vector is urging Aucklanders to be sensible and safe with private Guy Fawkes fireworks displays tonight, and to keep their use of fireworks well clear of power lines to avoid the risk to public safety, power outages, and damage to electrical infrastructure.

There was at least one case of the use of fireworks causing a power outage over the weekend. A few hundred homes in Henderson Valley were without power for several hours on Saturday night, after fireworks hit high-voltage power lines shortly before 10pm.

With tonight (November 5th) the official night for Guy Fawkes celebrations, Vector’s Chief Networks Officer, Andre Botha, is urging people to be safe and use common sense to avoid causing further power outages and, more importantly, minimise any risk to public safety.

“Before you let off any fireworks, please take the time to check the area around you for any electrical hazards. Letting off fireworks near power lines or service lines (the private electricity lines connecting homes to power poles on the street) could cause power outages to not just your own home, but your entire neighbourhood. Remember, wind can carry fireworks a fair distance, so please stay well clear of any power lines or substations.

With people’s propensity to buy and save fireworks for other celebrations like New Year’s Eve, it’s important people heed safety advice around electrical equipment no matter the time of year.

We want to ensure our communities in Auckland safely enjoy Guy Fawke’s and other fireworks celebrations this year.”

ENDS