Fireworks

Jump to:

• Can you stop people letting fireworks off late at night?
• Can shops sell fireworks all year round?
• What legislation is there to control the use of fireworks?
• Which fireworks are banned?
• What is an 'adult firework'?
• Where can I get information on firework safety?
• Is it illegal to throw fireworks?
• Do you need be registered to sell fireworks?

Can you stop people letting fireworks off late at night?

From 7 August 2004, Regulation 7 of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 came into effect, which means that it is now a criminal offence to use 'adult fireworks' during the night hours of 11pm to 7am, except on a 'permitted firework night', which are:

• Chinese New Year - 11pm to 1am
• 5 November - 11pm to 12am
• Day of Diwali - 11pm to 1am
• New Year's Eve - 11pm to 1am

Enforcement of Regulation 7 is the responsibilty of the local police.

Back to top

Can shops sell fireworks all year round?

From 1 January 2005, suppliers of 'adult fireworks' will require a licence to sell fireworks unless sales are only taking place:

• on the first day of Chinese New Year and the three days immediately preceeding it
• on the day of Diwali and the three days immediately preceeding it
• during the period beginning on 15 October and ending on 10 November, or
• during the period beginning on 26 December and ending on 31 December.

Any applications for licenses should be made to the Trading Standards Office responsible for the area in which the applicant wishes to sell the fireworks. There will be a fee to pay and the licence may be refused or revoked at any time.

For further information on the sale of fireworks please contact Trading Standards.

Back to top

What legislation is there to control the use of fireworks?

The Fireworks Regulations 2004 have been made under the Fireworks Act 2003 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

This legislation enables the Government to regulate the use of fireworks in order to reduce noise, nuisance and anti-social use of fireworks.

The controls include:

• a ban on very loud fireworks of over 120 decibels
• a ban on the use of fireworks during anti-social hours (except on certain night of the year)
• a ban on selling fireworks to people under 18 years old (except for party poppers, cracker snaps, paper caps, serpents, sparklers, throw-downs or novelty matches)
• a ban on people over 18 years of age possessing 'adult fireworks' in a publice place
• a licence requirement on those selling fireworks which may be refused or revoked if retailers act inappropriately
• a compulsory training course for people operating public fireworks displays and
• labelling requirements for fireworks.

Back to top

Which fireworks are banned?

The following fireworks are banned from sale to the general public:

• small bangers
• large bangers, including batteries such as Chinese Crackers and combinations containing any type of banger
• mini-rockets
• aerial maroons, aerial shells, shell-in-mortars and maroon-in-mortars and
• any firework with erratic flight, for example squibs, jumping crackers and helicopters.

Back to top

What is an 'adult firework'?

Fireworks are classified under British Standard 7114 into the following categories:

The Fireworks Regulations 2004 refer to 'adult fireworks', which are all fireworks with the exception of category 1 fireworks and category 2 sparklers.

Back to top

Where can I get information on firework safety?

Information on firework safety is available from:

• Department of Trade and Industry. For details of the latest national fireworks safety campaign.
• Welephant. A website produced by the Fire Service and aimed at putting across a firework safety message to children, through games etc.
• Child Accident Prevention Trust. A charity committed to reducing the number of children and young people who are killed, disabled or seriously injured as a result of accidents they provide Firework safety tips and free leaflets.

Back to top

Is it illegal to throw fireworks?

It is an offence for any person, in any street and to the obstruction, annoyance or danger of the residents or passengers, to throw or set fire to any firework. Incidents of this nature should be reported to the police.

Back to top

Do you need be registered to sell fireworks?

Anyone wanting to sell 'adult fireworks' outside the allowed days will require to be licenced.

For further information on the sale of fireworks please contact Trading Standards.