Fireworks – ensuring the safety of your home and community

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With it being Autumn and the season for fireworks, PPO are taking a look into fireworks and the local community. You may have seen already that local news outlets have raised the issue of fireworks and problems that locals have faced. On the 5th of November in Leeds, riot Police had to take to the streets to arrest youths who were throwing fireworks in the streets. Elsewhere, across the country, there has been similar stories about the anti-social behaviour.

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Buying Fireworks

According to the Government website, if you are under the age of eighteen, you cannot buy ‘adult’ fireworks.

Fireworks are categorised by the how dangerous they may be. For example, poppers are categorised as one. So, categories two and three do not include the likes of poppers.

Fireworks with the category four, can only be used by licensed professionals.

Firework Categories

As mentioned in the previous sections, fireworks can be categorised into four different types.

 

            Category One – Indoor Fireworks

These are items such as party poppers. Category two fireworks are typically marked as being suitable to use indoors. Also, it should say on the boxing and other parts of packaging that they can only be used inside.

 

            Category Two – Garden Fireworks

These fireworks are can be viewed at anything more than five meters away. They will typically be stored in a PVC bag. Those that comes within boxes will have marked ‘Garden Firework’ on the packaging.

 

            Category Three – Display Fireworks

Category three fireworks will have ‘Display Firework’ marked on the packaging. Rockets of twenty grams net explosive content or bursting charge are classed as category three. They cannot be viewed any closer than twenty-five metres, which is why they are unsuitable for most gardens.

 

            Category Four – Professional Display Fireworks

As mentioned before, category four fireworks are for professional use only. If a member of the public has access to a category four, then it is a public offence. These are not open for the public to buy.

Firework Curfews

The Government website clearly states that it is against the law to use fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am. However, this is different for certain occasions.

  • Bonfire night – the curfew is between midnight 12pm and 7am
  • New Year’s Eve – the curfew is between 1am and 7am
  • Chinese New Year – the curfew is between 1am and 7am
  • Diwali Night – – the curfew is between 1am and 7am

 

The use of Fireworks in public places

The law clearly states that lighting or throwing fireworks, at any category, can not be used in a street or other public area.

If any resident is unsure about fireworks in their district, then they should ask their local council about rules regarding letting off fireworks.

There are plenty of resources online to use regarding firework safety such as the Health and Safety Executive and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Buying Fireworks

There certain days within the UK where the public can buy certain categorised fireworks.  These are the:

  • Between the 15th of October to the 10th of November
  • Between the 26th December to the 30th December
  • Three days prior to Diwali and Chinese New Year

The public can buy fireworks on other days however these can only be from licensed shops.

 

Firework Fines

Members of the public found selling or using fireworks illegally could receive a fine of up to £5,500- and six-months imprisonment.

Also, those found with fireworks could receive an on the spot fine of £90.

Furthermore, it is critical to note that offenders could also receive other punishments due to them being a nuisance.

Jess Mitchell

I started writing for PPO back in August 2019. I particularly enjoy writing about new housing developments and upcoming property events.

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About Sophia 68 Articles
I started writing for PPO back in August 2019. I particularly enjoy writing about new housing developments and upcoming property events.

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