The fire department shared information on Facebook regarding bonfire lighting on Walpurgis Night. They pointed out that it is permitted to organise May bonfires in Skellefteå municipality and that there is no need to report this to them. However, if you are starting a fire in a public place in connection with a public event, permission from the police is required.
They also issued a warning: never use gasoline to light the May bonfire. The fumes can ignite, and the fire can then grow explosively.
They also warned about the risk of starting grass fires, as last year's grass is dry, and urged people to rake around the bonfire before lighting it. You should also keep an eye on burning fragments that fly away, as they can ignite materials some distance from the fire. On Tuesday, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) also warned that there is a risk of grass fires in snow-free areas of Västerbotten.
The fire department advises keeping water, rakes, buckets, or other fire-extinguishing tools easily accessible. Designate one person to be responsible for the bonfire.
The police have also issued advice on Facebook. They wrote that many young people try drinking alcohol for the first time on Walpurgis Night. "Don't be the person who helps a teenager get hold of alcohol," the police urges.
They pointed out that this is a crime and that by buying alcohol for minors, you are putting young people in danger. The risk of accidents increases, as does the risk of being exposed to a crime while intoxicated.
This is the police's advice to guardians:
Talk to your teenager about alcohol, parties, and being out late at night. Set common rules.
Keep track of where your teenager is – and who your teenager is spending time with.
Feel free to talk to the parents of your child's friends so that more of you are aware. Perhaps you can take a walk together in the places where young people gather.
Be prepared to drive during the evening if something bad happens.
Of course, call the police if something happens. In an emergency, always call 112. For non-emergencies, call 114 14.
Finally, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation advises moving piles of brush slightly before lighting them to alert hedgehogs. This can save hedgehogs from being burned alive, as they like to seek shelter in brushwood.