With November 5 in just days, plans for Bonfire Night have begun.
This Guy Fawkes Night will be under new regulations in Scotland that members of the general public will have to look out for.
In June, the Scottish Government passed the Fireworks (Scotland) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2021 that included three new measures.
You may not know the exact hours fireworks are permitted to be set off in Scotland, particularly on Bonfire Night.
Knowing the rules will avoid you a world of pain - buying or selling the wrong sort of fireworks could land you with a £5,000 fine and even imprisonment up to six months.
People aged 18 and over allowed to buy fireworks and only certain categories of 'adult' fireworks: F2, F3 and F4.
Here's everything to know about staying on the right side of the law this Bonfire Night.
When can I set fireworks off?
New laws set out by the Scottish Government earlier this year make it illegal for the general public to set fireworks off before 6pm and after 11pm.
Although the cutoff is midnight on Bonfire Night and 1am on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
This means any Bonfire Night displays must be wrapped up at midnight to avoid hosts getting into trouble.
When can I buy fireworks?
The current regulations of the Scottish Government state that fireworks can only be bought during between 7am and 6pm, "alongside existing requirements on retailers around sale and storage licences".
You can also only buy fireworks, including sparklers, for private use on certain dates:
- October 15 to November 10
- December 26 to 31 December
- Three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
How many fireworks can I buy?
Members of the general public are restricted to buying no more than 5kg of fireworks at a time.
There are four different categories of fireworks, ranging from sparklers and the fountains you’ve probably seen on birthday cakes to Category 4 fireworks that are only available for professionals.
Category 3 fireworks are the largest available to the public, but must be viewed from 25 metres away or more, so if you have a smaller garden, stick to the smaller fireworks.
If you know the size of your garden, a reputable fireworks seller will be able to advise you on what is safe to let off.
What are adult fireworks?
Adult fireworks are those categorised as F2, F3 and F4.
The Scottish Government rules say: "Category F2 fireworks are fireworks which present a very low hazard and low noise level and which are intended for outdoor use in confined areas.
"Category 3 fireworks are fireworks which present a medium hazard, which are intended for outdoor use in large open areas and whose noise level is not harmful to human health.
"Category F4 fireworks are only available to fireworks professionals."
Party poppers don't count as adult fireworks.
What if I set off a firework illegally?
Under UK Government law, individuals can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally.
People can also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
Remember, the law states you must not set off fireworks, including sparklers, in the street or other public places, so if you’re planning on celebrating with even just a few sparklers, make sure you’re doing it in your own garden or a friend’s.
Do fireworks scare dogs?
This doesn’t affect the law, but according to the RSPCA an estimated 45% of dogs in the UK show signs of fear when they hear fireworks.
If you have a dog of your own, the RSPCA suggests you close your windows and curtains and put on some music or TV to help mask the sound and keep them calm.
If you're looking for playlist recommendations specifically designed to ease doggy anxiety, you can find some here at TeamDogs.
If you plan on setting off fireworks yourself, it’s best to be considerate and check if your neighbours have nervous animals so they can prepare ahead of time to keep them calm and happy.
