As Bonfire Night fast approaches, the number of people googling “can I set fireworks off in my garden?” has skyrocketed by 5000%.
If you’re gearing up for the big day and are excited to set off your own DIY fireworks display, you might not be aware of these potential costly damages should your special night go wrong.
According to London rubbish removal company Clear It Waste, these mistakes could cost you thousands this Bonfire Night:
1. Burnt lawns and damage to patios
Igniting fireworks from the same spot repeatedly can seriously singe your lawn, which might end up needing replacing after just one night of fun. Although lawn itself might be relatively inexpensive, when you factor in the turf, labour and installation costs, this could end up costing you £15 per square metre.
So for a UK average garden size of 50 square metres, you can expect to be set back by £750 in total.
Those with snazzy patios should prepare to be extra cautious, as fireworks can easily cause stain or scorch marks. And those with wooden decking beware – those explosives can melt or burn your setup!
Extensive damage might result in a complete repair job, with new patio costing an average of £1,200.
2. Damaged Fences
Think you’re safe if you keep the fireworks away from the floor? Think again. If your fireworks collide with your fences, you face serious risk of fire damage as wood and vinyl fences are highly flammable.
Additionally, heat and burn marks can cause stains. The damage here can end up burning a hole right through your pocket – the average price to replace a fence in 2025 is estimated to be around £1,500.
3. Broken Windows
Even the most practiced home firework display wizard might end up with a shooter that misfires and hits a window. Fireworks are powerful enough to not only hit but break through windows, and that’s without factoring in windy weather.
And anyone who’s experienced the joys of replacing a window will know, glass replacement can set you back anywhere between £50 - £200. And that’s before you factor in specific requirements, and number of windows broken!
If you hadn’t considered these potential hidden costs of setting up your own firework display, you’re not alone.
According to Josh Clarke from Clear It Waste: “Many won’t consider the safety implications of at-home fireworks this bonfire night, as well as the hundreds of pounds in costs that could be incurred as a result of damage to the property.”
Although the wisest move this Bonfire Night is probably to attend an organised display, if you must do it from home, here are some tips he recommends:
Top tips to protect your home and garden this Bonfire Night
First, tidy up your garden before getting started, ensuring you clean away garden furniture, dead grass, dry leaves and any flammable debris lying around.
He adds: “I’d always recommend that those who want to set off their own fireworks use a hard, stable surface such as a gravelled driveway, bare soil, or a garden patio.”
To be extra safe, Josh suggests having buckets of water nearby and watering grass an hour before setting off the fireworks to reduce flammability. But, he says, ensure you don’t overdo it, as overly soggy lawns can create an unstable and muddy surface.
Finally – on sparkler safety – Josh recommends soaking used sparklers in water for at least 24 hours after using them to make sure they’re properly put out. Then, bag them up and put them in your general household waste bin, as they aren’t recyclable.
He says: “Be sure to never put a hot firework straight in the bin.
“If you are unsure of any disposal rules, you can check your local council’s guidelines.”
