It is nothing new for fire services to advise the public on how to stay safe over the bonfire season.

But this year’s warnings carry a weightier meaning due to a four-day national fire strike.

While the public should always be wary of messing around with fireworks and bonfires, both West and East Sussex fire services are right to reiterate the need to play it safe this year.

With the service stretched, it will be down to a limited contingency force across the region to tackle emergencies as and when they arise.

This contingency force cannot afford to be overstretched.

One has to understand the other potential view – that such precautions risk undermining the union’s efforts to highlight the value of its members.

But safety has to come first and, regardless of the measures taken by individual fire services, it’s likely those on strike will still make their point.