Fireworks

The Firework Safety Code:

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Keep fireworks in a closed box
• Follow the instructions on each firework
• Light them at arms length using a taper
• Stand well back
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it doesn’t go off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
• Always supervise children around fireworks
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Never giver sparklers to a child under five.
• Keep pets indoors
• Don’t let off noisy fireworks after 11pm.

If you are a business owner and want to sell fireworks you have certain obligations to your staff and the general public.

You must register or obtain a licence to supply fireworks (this is obtainable from Trading Standards at Lincolnshire County Council and/or Lincolnshire Fire Brigade click the link for further details)

Go to Trading Standards
Go to Lincolnshire Fire Brigade

• Store Fireworks Safely
• Don’t Sell to under 18’s
• Know your fire drill
• You must display a sign where fireworks are supplied or exposed for supply.

It is illegal to:

1. Sell “adult” fireworks to anyone under 18
2. Possess “adult” fireworks in a public place

(“Adult” fireworks are: Any firework except for a cap, cracker snap, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns)

Summary of the Law on Fireworks:

Firework Regulations 2004

These regulations are made under the Firework Act 2003 and include:-

• Making perminant the Firework Regulations 2003 which make it an offence for under 18’s to possess adult fireworks in public places and an offence for anyone (other than a firework professional) to possess Category 4 (Professional Display) fireworks;
• All supplies of fireworks will be required to obtain a licence to store fireworks, either from the Local Authority, Fire Authority, or HSE, with effect from 1^st January 2005. This has the effect of restricting sales to within certain defined periods, selling without a licence is permitted during the following periods:
• • November 5^th       (15^th October- 10^th November)
  • New Year              (26^th December – 31^st December)
  • Chinese New Year    (1^st day of Chinese new year & the 3 days immediately before it)
  • Diwali                    (On the day of Diwali & the 3 days immediately before it)
    
• The creation of a curfew on firework use between 11pm and 7am, the curfew is varied on the following nights:
  • November 5^th         Until Midnight
  • New Years Eve       1am the following day
  • Chinese New year   1am the following day
  • Diwali                    1am the following day
    
• Suppliers of fireworks must display the following information:-
  
  • Sell adult fireworks to under 18’s
  • or for anyone under 18 to poses fireworks in a public place.

For further details please refer to the DTI Website. by clicking the link below.

DTI Fireworks Website

If you are thinking of organising a fireworks display the following link will be of use.

Safe and Successful Firework Displays

If the display is a commercial event you should be aware that the Health and Safety At work etc Act 1974 will apply, you should therefore ensure that you ahve conduted a sutable and sufficient risk assesment . The link below enables you to download a document to assist you with this, if you would like further help please contact the Health and Safety Section for further advice.

Guide to Risk Assesment for Fireworks Displays