FIRE crews were called to more than 300 fires caused by bonfires or fireworks in West Yorkshire last year.
Now, fire chiefs hope the toll will be far less this year if people take simple safety precautions.
Between October 22 and November 7 last year West Yorkshire firefighters attended 291 calls to bonfires and 30 property or car fires that were started by the misuse of fireworks.
Huddersfield Giants rugby league players have joined the campaign to urge youngsters never to fool with fireworks.
Players Andrew Raleigh and Paul Reilly joined Huddersfield fire station manager Phil Langdale to get the safety message across.
Mr Langdale said: "The utmost care is necessary in the storage, handling and use of fireworks, whether you are organising a display for family, friends or the public.
"By following some simple advice risks can be greatly reduced."
Huddersfield Giants marketing officer Jonathan Wilkinson said: "Our Early Bird Season Ticket campaign ends this Saturday, and to coincide we are keen to raise awareness of the dangers of this date.
"The club's community focus for 2006 is families. All primary school children can get free season tickets to the Giants games next season and we want families in Kirklees to be safe this week by following the simple rules around November 5."
BONFIRES and fireworks events planned for November 4, 5 and 6 across the Huddersfield area are:
* Friday, November 4: 6.30pm - Huddersfield YMCA bonfire, Laund Hill.
* Saturday, November 5: 6pm - Lockwood Family Bonfire, Lockwood Scar; 6pm - Elland Round Table bonfire, Hullen Edge; 6.30pm - Holmfirth Rotary Club bonfire, Sands, Holmfirth; 6.30pm - Parkwood Scouts Dr Who bonfire, Parkwood Road.
* Sunday, November 6: 6.30pm - Huddersfield Pendragon Round Table Charity bonfire, Blackmoorfoot Road, Crosland Hill.
SAFETY FIRST
* Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time.
* Follow the manufacturers' instructions on each firework. Read them by torchlight and never by naked flame.
* Light fireworks at arm's length using a safety firework lighter or fuse wick.
* Stand well back after lighting.
* Never go back to a firework once lit as it may go off in your face.
* Keep a bucket of water handy.
* After the display, used fireworks should be collected, doused with water, buried or placed in a metal container.
* Keep pets indoors.
* Site bonfires well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees, shrubs and fireworks.
* Before lighting the bonfire, check that no pets or children are hiding inside it.
* Build the stack so it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side.
* Never use flammable liquids such as paraffin or petrol to light the fire.
* Don't burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint or bottles.
* Keep everyone away from the fire, especially children.
* In case of emergency keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready.
* Pour water on the embers before leaving.
