Fireworks are intended for enjoyment and pleasure. If you read the label, follow the safety instructions and the fireworks code, you are more likely to avoid an accident. You can use this guidance to provide you with additional information when buying fireworks.

Garden size - think before you buy
Read the label before buying fireworks. Some gardens are too small to hold a fireworks display. If you are buying garden fireworks you need 5m viewing distance, but display fireworks require 25m viewing distance. Display fireworks are intended for large areas and not small gardens.

When planning your display make sure that:

• people (including neighbours) cannot get within the viewing distance (5m or 25m for display fireworks)
• other obstacles eg fences, sheds, are not within the viewing distance

Age limits
You must be 18 or over to buy fireworks (including Sparklers)

You must be 16 or over to buy: caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns

Look out for the British Standard
Fireworks intended for use by the general public must be marked with:

BS 7114 Part 2:1988

to show that they meet the safety standard for fireworks.

Fireworks which must not be supplied to the public
For safety reasons the following fireworks can no longer be supplied to the public.

• mini rockets
• all bangers
• aerial shells
• aerial mortars
• air bombs
• shells-in-mortar and maroons- in-mortar
• fireworks with erratic flight
• all category 2 &3 fireworks that exceed 120 decibels
• all category 4 fireworks
• fireworks which exceed size limits specified in regulations

Fireworks not suitable for the general public should be marked with the following warning:

This Device Must Not Be Sold To or Used By a Member of the General Public

Did you know......?
A Sparkler reaches a temperature of up to 2000 degrees C.  Sparklers can remain very hot for a long time after they have burnt out

When handling Sparklers:

DO..

• Wear gloves
• Only light one at a time
• Supervise all children
• Ensure Sparklers are held at arms length
• Plunge finished Sparklers hot end down in a bucket of water or sand

DO NOT ...

• Take Sparklers to public displays; it may be too crowded to use safely
• Allow children to wear loose or flowing clothing which could catch fire
• Allow children to run around with sparklers or wave them at people
• Give Sparklers to children under 5 years

Important changes to the law
From 1 January 2005, traders who do not have a licence to sell fireworks all year round, can only sell fireworks during the following periods:

· 15 October - 10 November 5
· 26 December to 1 January
· Chinese New Year (4 days before, including the day of Chinese New Year)
· Diwali (4 days before, including Diwali)

Fireworks cannot be used between 11pm and 7am except:

· Bonfire night - Midnight and 7am following day
· Chinese New Year - 1am and 7am
· Diwali - 1am and 7am

Note: It is an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to possess a firework in a public place.

For more information about the new law, click on the link at the right hand side of this page