Dublin Fire Brigade and Dublin City Council yesterday launched a safety campaign aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of bonfires and fireworks in the run up to Halloween.
As well as the threat of injuries posed by bonfires and fireworks directly, they unnecessarily burden members of the fire and ambulance services who could be needed more urgently elsewhere, officials said.
"In 2006 we dealt with 727 emergency call outs in a 12-hour period on Halloween night alone," said Chief Fire Officer Hugh O'Neill.
Additionally, the clean-up of parks, pitches and community greens used for bonfires costs more than €1 million each year, with the burnt ground taking 18 months to recover.
At yesterday's launch, pupils from St Lawrence O'Toole girls school were shown a safety DVD, part of a "Halloween Safety Pack", being distributed to all schools in Dublin this week.
Leaflets urged revellers to opt for the organised free events at Finglas, Darndale, Ballymun, Smithfield, Ballyfermot, Roseglen and Dublin City Hall.
The campaign also encourages anyone observing materials being stockpiled for bonfires to anonymously contact the council at 1800 251500 or by emailing waste.management@dublincity.ie
"Halloween is not an excuse for illegal dumping and we are horrified to hear of businesses providing tyres, old furniture and other waste materials to young people for bonfires in recent weeks," said Lord Mayor Paddy Bourke.