FIREWORKS SAFETY

Make your celebration memorable for the right reasons. Plan ahead, choose fireworks that suit your space and follow the instructions supplied with every product.

Read the label. Keep your distance. Never relight.

The minimum spectator distance is printed on each firework. There is no single safe distance for every product. If you cannot provide the space required, do not use it.

Before your display

Choose your fireworks and site

  • Buy from a reputable retailer and check for a CE or UKCA mark and clear instructions.
  • Use suitable private land with the owner’s permission. Check in daylight for overhead cables, trees, buildings and other hazards.
  • Allow room for spectators and a clear area where debris can fall. Keep people out of the firing and fallout areas.
  • Category F2 and F3 fireworks have different space requirements. Category F4 is for professional operators only.

Prepare people and conditions

  • Choose a responsible adult to run the display and agree who will call for help in an emergency.
  • Recheck the wind and weather before starting. Postpone if conditions make the display unsafe, including strong winds or a high risk of fire.
  • Tell neighbours in advance. Consider lower-noise options and nearby pets, livestock and wildlife.
  • Keep unused fireworks dry, secure and in their original packaging, away from heat, flames and flammable materials.

The Firework Code

When lighting fireworks

  • Stay sober. Do not drink alcohol while setting off fireworks.
  • Keep fireworks in a closed box and take out one at a time.
  • Read each label using a torch. Follow its setup and securing instructions.
  • Use a taper, light at arm’s length and move back to the stated safety distance.
  • Keep cigarettes and other naked flames away.

Protect everyone around you

  • Never return to a lit firework or try to relight it.
  • Never throw fireworks, carry them in pockets or aim them at anyone.
  • Do not use outdoor fireworks indoors or on balconies.
  • Supervise children and keep pets safely indoors.
  • Have water nearby for emergencies, but keep people clear of lit or failed fireworks.

Sparklers need special care

Sparklers can cause severe burns. Never give them to children under five. Supervise older children closely, wear gloves and light one sparkler at a time at arm’s length.

Keep plenty of space between people. Never hold a baby while using a sparkler. Put finished sparklers into a bucket of cold water; the wire stays hot after the sparks stop.

Know the law

You must be 18 or over to buy category F2 or F3 fireworks. We do not sell fireworks to anyone under 18. Do not set off or throw fireworks, including sparklers, in streets or other public places.

For home displays in England, the usual permitted hours are 7am to 11pm. The following evening cut-off times apply:

11pmMost nights of the year
Including Christmas
MidnightBonfire Night
5 November
1amNew Year’s Eve, Diwali
and Chinese New Year

Check your council’s local rules before planning a display. Rules can differ elsewhere in the UK, particularly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Illegal sale or use can lead to prosecution. See GOV.UK: fireworks and the law for current details.

If something goes wrong

A firework does not go off

Keep everyone away. Never investigate, lean over, pick up or relight a failed firework. Follow the manufacturer’s misfire instructions and contact us for product advice.

Do not put a live, hot or partially fired firework in a bin, burn it or send it back through the post. Get safe disposal advice from the supplier or your local authority.

Fire, injury or burns

Move people to safety and call 999 for a fire or serious injury. Do not put yourself at risk trying to tackle a fire.

Cool a burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. Remove nearby jewellery or clothing unless it is stuck. Do not apply creams, oils or butter.

Very large or deep burns, or burns to the face, need emergency care. For a burn where you are unsure what to do, contact NHS 111. Read NHS burns advice.

After the display

Keep children and animals away from the firing area until it has been checked. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for clearing and disposing of spent fireworks. Never place hot debris in a bin. Treat any unexploded firework as live and keep well clear.

For community events or larger displays, use the HSE display planning guidance and speak to your local authority about the arrangements required.

Need help choosing safely?

Tell us about your available space and the occasion before you order. Our team can help you understand product labels and choose suitable fireworks.

support@mrguyfawkesfireworks.com07305 866703Read our FAQs

Further safety guidance: London Fire Brigade · GOV.UK display guidance · HSE · NHS

Reviewed October 2026. Always follow the instructions supplied with your fireworks and check current local requirements.