Firework safety

16 October 2012

Fireworks often play a big part in celebrations like Bonfire Night, Diwali and Chinese New Year. However, fireworks are explosives and as they burn at such high temperatures they need careful handling and storage.

Don’t buy fireworks from anywhere you’re not sure about, like a van or a temporary, unlicensed market stall.  Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114 or with a CE mark – this shows that the firework meets British or European safety standards.

Fireworks can be let off until 11pm except:

• until midnight on Bonfire Night (5 November)
• until 1am on New Year’s Eve (31 December 2012), Diwali (13 November 2012) and Chinese New Year (10 February 2013) 

Fireworks must not be let off in the street or any other public place.

Fireworks can only be bought:

• between 15 October and 10 November
• between 26 December and 31 December
• three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year

For the rest of the year, you will only be able to buy fireworks from certain specialist licensed shops.

Complaints about noise should be reported to the Environmental Health Office of your local district council.  To report other concerns please call Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06