Bonfire night is around the corner, and no doubt many of you have already been stirred by fireworks near your home.
In the days running up to and after November 5, the sound of fireworks can be frustrating for people trying to relax, and it causes havoc with pets.
But fireworks and bonfires are a big tradition in England. While some supermarkets including Sainsbury's no longer sell fireworks, there are still ways to get hold of them, with registered retailers allowed to sell fireworks from mid-October.
There are rules about when and where fireworks can be let off.
Read more: Asda to sell 'quieter' fireworks
Is it legal to have a bonfire on Guy Fawkes night?
It is not illegal to have a bonfire. However, there are laws around the nuisance they can cause.
Smoke must not be allowed to drift across roads and become a traffic hazard. Burning household waste which causes health-harming pollution is also against the rules.
So, as long as it’s not causing a nuisance, a bonfire is ok?
Yes, although you may be advised not to light one by the fire brigade or your council due to safety. Fires, remember, spread easily and can cause serious injuries.
Tips for having a safe bonfire:
• build the bonfire away from sheds, fences and trees
• tell your neighbours so they can close windows or remove washing from clothes lines
• check there are no cables - like telephone wires - above it
• don’t use petrol or paraffin to get the fire going – it may get out of control quickly
• keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies
• don’t leave the bonfire unattended
• keep children and pets away
• don’t throw any fireworks into the fire
• only burn dry material not damp, which causes more smoke
• don’t burn aerosols, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint - many produce toxic fumes and some containers may explode, causing injury
• a responsible adult should supervise the bonfire until it has burnt out
• once the bonfire has died down, spray the embers with water and make sure it is completely extinguished before leaving it
What do the authorities do if they come across a bonfire?
Firefighters have told us that they judge each bonfire and decide if it’s causing any harm. If a family is having a bonfire party privately that is not causing any nuisance, then no action is likely to be taken. However if, for example, there’s a bonfire on some wasteland that’s emitting a lot of smoke, it would be classed as anti-social and the fire would be put out.
What time is it legal or illegal to let of fireworks.
On November 5, it is legal to set off fireworks until midnight.
On other days, fireworks are not allowed between 11pm and 7am, other than New Year's Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when they are allowed until 1am.
When you can legally buy fireworks
Fireworks (including sparklers) can only legally be bought from registered sellers for private use:
• from October 15 to November 10
• from December 26 to 31
• three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year
At other fireworks can only be bought from licensed shops
You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
Do fireworks displays always require a licence?
No. No licence or permit is required in the UK, though a licence may be needed if you are planning to have a big event with a large number of people and elements such as music or alcohol, and only professionals are allowed to use certain types of fireworks. The Health and Safety Executive says that if you are organising a major public event, “you will clearly need a robust and detailed approach to planning as well as professional involvement. If you are holding a local firework display, such as those organised by many sports clubs, schools or parish councils, you still need to plan responsibly, but the same level of detail is not necessary or expected.”
There are more details on their website http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/fireworks/using.htm
Aren’t there different categories for fireworks?
Yep. Category 2 and 3 are those available from our fireworks retailer and which are on sale to the general public. Category 4 fireworkjs are for professional use only and are extremely dangerous to the untrained.
Are there any safety tips for fireworks?
Lots. Here’s what the Government says:
• 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 bonfires 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
• 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
