Fireworks and the law

Enforcement by Trading Standards

Age of purchase

• Fireworks including sparklers must not be supplied to persons under 18.
• However caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns must only be supplied to persons 16 or over.

Notice to be displayed

• Premises where fireworks are for sale must display a notice with the following wording.  The notice must be at least 400mm by 300mm and the height of the lettering must be at least 16mm.

"It is illegal to sell adult fireworks to anyone under the age of eighteen" and

 "It is illegal for anyone under the age of eighteen to possess adult fireworks in a public place."

The following fireworks must not be supplied to the general public:-

• Aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar.
• Airbombs
• All bangers (including 'batteries' containing bangers, such as Chinese Crackers).
• "Mini rockets" :- the following types are permitted - diameter greater than 12mm, permitted minimum lengths set out below:-

                                       - Singles               900mm

                                       - Primary Pack     400mm

                                       - Selection           300mm

• Fireworks with erratic flight (for example ground spinners, jumping crackers, squibs).
• Fireworks intended for professional display use only.
• Category 3 fireworks whose noise level exceeds 120 decibels.  The purchase and possession of such fireworks is also prohibited.

Other measures

• Packets of sparklers must carry the warning "Warning: not to be given to children under 5 years of age".
• Retail boxes of fireworks must not be split.
• All fireworks intended to be sold to the public must comply with BS7114 and be marked accordingly.

Storage of fireworks

• It is an offence to keep fireworks (except those for private use) on premises which have not been registered or licensed for that purpose.

Licensing firework suppliers

• Unlicensed suppliers may only sell fireworks on the following dates:-
  
  • 15 October - 10 November
  • 26 - 31 December
  • The first day of the Chinese New Year, Diwali and 3 days preceding both.

• All sellers must hold a licence granted by the appropriate local authority to supply fireworks at any other times.

• Licenses may be refused or revoked if statutory requirements are not met or firework related offences are committed.

Enforcement by the Police

Throwing fireworks

• It is a criminal offence to throw or discharge a firework in a street or public place.

Possession of fireworks

• It is a criminal offence for:-

• Under 18's to possess a firework in a public place (except category 1 and category 2 sparklers).
• Any person other than a fireworks professional to possess professional display fireworks (category 4).
• Any person to supply a category 3 firework whose noise decibel exceeds 120 decibels.

Firework curfews

• Fireworks may not be used during the night hours of 11pm and 7am.  However on designated fireworks nights the restrictions are as follows:-
  • 5 November                                   12pm and 7am on the following day
  • First day of Chinese New Year          1am and 7am on the following day
  • Diwali                                             1am and 7am on the following day
  • 31 December                                  1am and 7am on the following day

Please contact us for more information.  Click here for our contact details.

For firework safety information and to download posters and leaflets go to: www.dti.gov.uk/fireworks