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Bonfires and fireworks

The following guidance has been produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to help you enjoy bonfire night safely.

Organised displays

Many local authorities, schools and community groups hold firework displays to mark certain occasions and they are a great place to enjoy a good night out. They are sometimes free of charge and many raise money for local charities. Fireworks can be expensive. You’re likely to get more dazzle and bang at an organised event. And, you won’t have to plan and host it yourself, taking responsibility for the safety aspects.

Enjoying the fireworks in your local park with your local community – sharing the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ in the crowd – can be a great way of getting together, meeting with your friends and neighbours and sharing in your local community spirit. But remember to take a torch along with you and make sure children wear bright clothes so they can be easily seen.

Hosting a fireworks party

If you have a safe place to do so and want to celebrate with fireworks in the comfort of your own garden or on other private land (with the landowner’s permission), there’s nothing to stop you and there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a great evening. But remember that both you and your guests will need to take care.

These tips are to help you think about and prepare for a fun and safe celebration at home.

Plan ahead

  • Fireworks must be stored safely, in a closed box, somewhere cool and dry, out of reach of children and animals, until the time they are needed. Don’t keep the box under the stairs or in a passageway.
  • Do you have a large enough space to let fireworks off safely? Each firework should have a minimum safety distance marked on it.
  • Be considerate to your neighbours: warn them beforehand so they can take in their washing, close windows, keep their pets indoors and, if necessary, take other precautions. Why not invite them?
  • Only buy fireworks from reputable dealers. The fireworks should have the product safety marking BS EN 14035 and carry the CE mark (to be changed to the new UKCA mark from January 2023).
  • Most shops have only been given permission to sell fireworks on or between these dates:
    • 15 October to 10 November
    • 26 December to 31 December
    • three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
    • to buy fireworks at other times, you must go to specially licensed shops
  • Fireworks cannot be let off between 11pm and 7am except on:
    • Bonfire Night (5 November), when the cut off is midnight;
    • New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.

Party time

  • Fireworks must only be handled and lit by responsible adults.
  • Alcohol and fire don’t mix – nor do alcohol and fireworks.
  • Keep fireworks in a closed box well away from the bonfire or any other sources of heat or fire.
  • Follow the instructions on each firework. Different fireworks can present different hazards and so the instructions vary.
  • Use a torch if you read the instructions in the dark – do not use a naked flame.
  • Let fireworks off one at a time.
  • Do not throw fireworks – it is highly dangerous.
  • Light them at arm’s length, using a taper.
  • Never play with fireworks – they are explosives and can hurt you.
  • When you are watching fireworks, stand well back.
  • Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
  • Hold sparklers one at a time in gloved hands at arm’s length. When the sparkler goes out, it is still very hot so put it end down in a bucket of water.
  • Never leave matches or lighters lying around
  • We recommend that you do not use sky lanterns as you have no control over them once they’ve been set off. They can kill animals, litter the countryside and start fires. If you do choose to set them off, always follow the manufacturers’ guidance/instructions carefully.

Clearing up

  • Pick up the spent firework cases – they can still be dangerous. Look for fireworks with a torch. Use tongs or some other suitable tool and wear heatproof gloves.
  • Don’t allow children to collect firework cases.
  • If any firework looks as if it hasn’t gone off after at least half an hour, soak it in water to prevent it reigniting.

Safety tips

A bonfire is a great way to celebrate bonfire night, but do follow these safety tips:

  • You can’t get rid of household waste on the bonfire if it will cause pollution or harm people’s health. You should always burn dry material as it produces less smoke. Never burn treated wood, rubber, plastic, foam or paint.
  • Warn your neighbours beforehand so they can take in any washing, close windows, keep pets indoors and take other necessary precautions.
  • Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, roads, garden sheds, fences, trees and hedges and, if possible, choose somewhere sheltered from wind to minimise the risk of the bonfire being blown out of control or of smoke restricting the vision of road users.
  • Check there are no cables (like telephone wires) above the bonfire.
  • Before you light the bonfire, check whether any pets, wildlife or small children have crawled inside.
  • Always keep a bucket of water or a working hosepipe nearby in case of fire.
  • Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire and never throw on fireworks or burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries.
  • Don’t leave bonfires unattended and keep children and pets away. A responsible adult should supervise the bonfire until it has burnt out.
  • Once the bonfire has died down, pour water on the embers to stop it reigniting.

For more information, please visit GOV.UK.

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