Hampshire Trading Standards

Consumer Safety

Firework safety

This advice is designed to provide basic guidance to consumers. It is not a complete or authoritative statement of the law. A large print version is available.

Fireworks are perfectly safe if used properly.

 Our advice
Buying Only buy fireworks that comply with the British Standard – BS7114. This number will be marked on the firework casing.
Space Is your garden or proposed site large enough? Some fireworks require minimum spectator safety distances of 25 metres (82 feet). Many domestic gardens are just not that large.

If you have a bonfire, ensure it is a safe distance from houses, sheds, fences, trees etc.
Instructions Always read the instructions. Remember that different types of fireworks require different handling.

If the instructions require specific “launching surfaces” (e.g. soft soil to bury the firework base, or a flat surface to stand on) ensure you have suitable surfaces prepared beforehand.
Misfires Never return to a firework that has failed to ignite.

At the end of the display put it in a bucket of water and leave it to soak. A bucket of water is also handy for putting spent sparklers into.

Do not throw failed fireworks onto a bonfire!
Protection Keeping fireworks in a closed box, only taking them out immediately before use.

Keep children away from fireworks, and make them wear a glove to hold sparklers. (Sparklers cause the most injuries to young children of any fireworks).

Keep pets indoors.
Lighting Have one adult responsible for lighting all the fireworks. Only light one at a time, as some have fuse times as short as just 3 seconds – how far away can you get in just 3 seconds ?

Always light at arm’s length using a slow burning fuse as supplied in all boxed selections. Use a torch to illuminate the launch site and to read the instructions.
Extinguish At the end of the party ensure that all firework remains and any bonfire embers are extinguished. Again, do not throw misfires into the remains of the bonfire.


 

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C/saf/190/002 August 2008
Reviewed November 2010