Fireworks are great fun, whatever your age, but it’s important to remember that they are not toys.
They are explosives and the injuries they can cause, especially to the eyes, can be devastating.
There are on average about 1,000 firework-related injuries a year. About half of these injuries occur at family or private parties.
The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a properly organised public display, advises the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
But if you're having a celebration at home, planning ahead can reduce the risk of things going wrong.
“Good preparation is crucial for a successful and safe display,” says Sheila Merrill, RoSPA's home safety manager for England.
Visit RoSPA’s safer fireworks website to familiarise yourself with the firework code, which includes safety advice to follow before, during and after your display.
Although adults tend to handle fireworks at home, half of the firework-related injuries are to children. Adults should ensure that children stay safe during firework displays.
Follow this easy checklist for a safe home firework display.
Before the display
- Only buy fireworks from a legitimate retailer.
- Inform neighbours and be aware of their concerns.
- Check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of the garden and that they comply with British Standard 7114 or its European equivalent. Instructions should be in English.
- Read the instructions in daylight or with a torch. Never use a match, lighter or candle flame.
- Only one person should be responsible for letting off the fireworks.
Things you will need on the night
- A torch for checking instructions.
- A bucket of water.
- Eye protection and gloves.
- A bucket of soft earth to stick fireworks in.
- Suitable supports for Catherine wheels and proper launchers for rockets (check whether the launchers are included in the sale of these types of fireworks or whether you would have to buy them separately).
During the display
It is illegal to set off fireworks after 11pm (except on November 5 when they can be used up to midnight and New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali when they can be used up to 1am the following day).
- Don’t drink alcohol if you're setting off fireworks.
- Light fireworks at arm's length with a taper.
- Stand well back and keep others away from the fireworks.
- Never go back to a firework after it has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode.
- Never throw fireworks or put them in your pocket.
- Always supervise children around fireworks.
- Store fireworks in a metal box and keep it closed between use.
- Keep pets indoors.
After the display
- Wear strong gloves and use tongs to dispose of used fireworks.
- Never throw used fireworks on a bonfire.
Sparklers
- Don't give sparklers to children under five years old.
- Light sparklers one at a time.
- Hold sparklers at arm’s length and wear gloves.
- Put used sparklers hot end first into a bucket of sand or water.
Bonfires
- Bonfires should be at least 18m (60 feet) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds.
- Use domestic firelighters when lighting a bonfire.
- Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids.
