Fireworks Advice & Safety

 

The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997

Fireworks Storage & Sale

Follow our easy checklist for a safe home firework display

Do you know of anyone who is storing and/or selling fireworks from their home

Aberdeen City Council - Guidance Note for Businesses (The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997) - Word Doc 98kb

The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 as amended

Age of Purchase

• Fireworks (*except those listed below) must not be supplied to persons under 18 years old.
• Caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns must not be supplied to persons under 16.

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

• Aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar.
• All bangers (including 'batteries' containing bangers, such as Chinese Crackers).
• Mini rockets.
• Air bombs, with the exception, until 3rd January 2005, of air bombs permitted by the 1997 regulations, which form part of a selection pack
• Fireworks with erratic flight (e.g. ground spinners, jumping crackers, squibs).
• Some Category 2 and 3 fireworks (as defined by BS 7114) which exceed size limits specified in the 1997 Regulations.
• All Category 4 fireworks.

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 for use by the general public must comply with British Standard BS 7114: Part 2: 1988.
• All fireworks not suitable (as determined by the Regulations) for use by the general public must bear the warning - "This device must not be sold to, or used by, a member of the general public".

Penalties

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £5000 or a prison sentence of up to six months, or both.

 

The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005:

Storage of fireworks

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

Explosives Act 1875:  

Throwing fireworks

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

• It is an offence to hawk (sell) fireworks in a public place.

Penalties

• Failure to comply with these requirements can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £5000.

     Fireworks storage and sale

Who does this information affect?

Any person selling fireworks including sparklers by retail.

What are the requirements?

Fireworks can only be sold from premises that have been registered or licensed with Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards Service, and from 1 January 2005, adult fireworks can only be supplied within the periods from 15 October to 10 November, 26 to 31 December, the first day of the Chinese New year and the three days immediately preceding this, and the first day of Dewali and the three days immediately preceding this, unless, in addition the registration in accordance with the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005, a licence under the provisions of The Fireworks Regulations 2004 has been applied for, the fee paid, and issued by the Trading Standards Service.

It is illegal to sell fireworks to persons under the age of 18 and a notice at least 300 x 400mm must be prominently displayed, in any premises where fireworks are supplied, stating that it is illegal to supply fireworks to anyone under 18, and that it is illegal for anyone under 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.

The following types of fireworks MUST NOT be sold by retail:

• Jumping jacks, Chinese Crackers and other fireworks of erratic flight
• All bangers
• Airbombs, with the exception until 3^rd January 2005, if contained within selection packs
• Category 3 fireworks, which produce sound pressure levels exceeding 120 decibels
• Category 4 fireworks
• Aerial shells and maroons
• Mini rockets
• Sparklers over 470mm in length
• Fireworks that do not comply with the British Standard for fireworks - BS7114
• Packets of fireworks should not be split

Sales of large quantities

Suppliers are required to inform the Trading Standards Service, if over 50 Kg net explosive content of fireworks are supplied, in a single transaction, and provide details of:

a) the name and address of the person who supplied him

b) the name and address of the person he supplied

c) the date of supply

d) the quantity of explosive supplied

How should fireworks be stored?

Fireworks must be stored in the manner defined in the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (L139) published by HSE Books in relation to the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations. Basic advice is on the guidance note for business above, with full details on: http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/

Advice is available from: Aberdeen City Council, Trading Standards Service, St. Nicholas House, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1BX  Telephone: (01224) 523737

Don't put your family at risk.

Follow our 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 garden and conform to British Standards (BS 7114)

• Read the instructions in daylight.

• One person - clearly identified - should be responsible for fireworks.

Things you will need on the night:

• Torch for checking instructions.

• Bucket of water.

• Eye protection and gloves.

• Bucket of soft earth to stick fireworks in.

• Suitable supports for catherine wheels, proper launchers for rockets.

During the display:

• Don't set off noisy fireworks late at night and never after 11 pm.

• Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.

• Light fireworks at arm's length with a taper.

• Stand well back and keep others back.

• Never go back to a lit firework.

• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.

• Always supervise children.

• Store fireworks in a metal box, kept closed between use.

• Keep pets indoors.

After the display:

• Use tongs or gloves to collect spent fireworks.

Sparklers:

• Unsuitable for children under five.

• Light one at a time.

• Wear gloves when holding sparklers.

• Put used sparklers hot end down into a bucket of sand or water.

Bonfires:

• Should be at least 18 metres (60 feet) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds.

• Use domestic firelighters.

• Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids.

Further information can be found by visiting the following website: www.fireworksafety.co.uk.

If you know of anyone who is storing and/or selling fireworks from their home or outwith the permitted dates either contact Aberdeen City Council, Trading Standards Service on (01224) 523737 or CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111

Crimestoppers enables people to call a single nationwide freephone number at any time with information about any crime. No caller is asked for their name, callers may receive a reward and anonymity is maintained throughout.

Aberdeen City Council, Trading Standards Service, 

St. Nicholas House, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1BX

Telephone: (01224) 523737 Fax: (01224) 645786

 

Web: http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/Aberdeen/

E-Mail: tradingstandards@aberdeencity.gov.uk

 

Copyright © Aberdeen City Council Trading Standards Service 2004