Firework safety

Fireworks are a traditional part of enjoying celebrations like bonfire night or New Year and can provide fun and entertainment. Fireworks can also be very dangerous if misused and they are the cause of many hundreds of serious accidents every year.

Everyone needs to remember that they are explosives and follow the right safety procedures to keep everyone safe and avoid tragic accidents.

Every year the government runs a fireworks safety campaign which provides guidelines and information for organisers of public firework displays, for retailers selling fireworks, for schools and the media to help keep everyone safe. The campaign also publicises the firework safety code.

Please refer to the following sections for further information:

Professional organised displays
The firework safety code
Bonfires
Further advice on fireworks
Further information

Professional organised displays

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go to a professionally organised event. Professionally organised displays are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Health and Safety Executive provide advice and guidance for organisers of big events which often involve professional firework display companies. For further information, refer to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website.

The firework safety code

If you do decide to organise your own celebrations, make sure you are careful and that you stay safe. When you buy fireworks make sure they comply with the safety standard BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use i.e. indoor, garden or display.

To safely use fireworks, you should also always follow the firework safety code. Make sure that you:

Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
Use them one at a time and replace the lid immediately afterwards
Never put fireworks in your pocket
Read the firework instructions carefully using a torch or lamp, but never use a naked flame as a light to do this
Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter
Stand well back and never go over to a firework after it has been lit because it could explode in your face
Always ensure that any children with fireworks are well supervised
Never throw fireworks
Keep all pets and animals indoors. For further information on fireworks and keeping pets safe, refer to the animal charity Blue Cross website ( www.bluecross.org.uk ).
Be careful with sparklers. Make sure you wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished
Remember that fireworks are explosives and can be dangerous if not handled properly.

Bonfires

Despite annual safety warnings, there are still far too many accidents that occur during bonfire night celebrations.

You need to remember to be careful with bonfires as well as with fireworks. The council encourages you to manage without a bonfire during the 5th of November celebrations.

If you do go ahead and have a bonfire, make sure you do the following:

Position the bonfire as far as possible away from your house, trees, hedges, fences or sheds
Never use a flammable liquid like petrol or paraffin to get a bonfire started. If lighting your bonfire is difficult, use domestic firelighters to help it
Check very carefully that there isn’t an animal or anybody hidden inside the bonfire
Don't light your bonfire until after all your fireworks have been let off
Keep everyone at a safe distance away from the bonfire and don't let anyone throw anything onto it
Loose clothing or long scarves should never be worn near a bonfire because they are a fire hazard and can easily catch light.

Further advice on fireworks

For more advice on firework safety, please refer to the following websites:

Further information

For more information please contact:

Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
E14 1BY

Tel: 020 7364 6800
Fax: 020 7364 6935
minicom: 020 7364 5975

E-mail: tradingstandards@towerhamlets.gov.uk

website: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/towerhamlets

Pid No: 348 - 426 - 796 - 799

Home Living safely Your safety introduction Domestic violence Firework safety Out alone Street crime Your family Jump to:	Firework safety Fireworks are a traditional part of enjoying celebrations like bonfire night or New Year and can provide fun and entertainment. Fireworks can also be very dangerous if misused and they are the cause of many hundreds of serious accidents every year. Everyone needs to remember that they are explosives and follow the right safety procedures to keep everyone safe and avoid tragic accidents. Every year the government runs a fireworks safety campaign which provides guidelines and information for organisers of public firework displays, for retailers selling fireworks, for schools and the media to help keep everyone safe. The campaign also publicises the firework safety code. Please refer to the following sections for further information: Professional organised displays The firework safety code Bonfires Further advice on fireworks Further information Professional organised displays The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go to a professionally organised event. Professionally organised displays are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The Health and Safety Executive provide advice and guidance for organisers of big events which often involve professional firework display companies. For further information, refer to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. The firework safety code If you do decide to organise your own celebrations, make sure you are careful and that you stay safe. When you buy fireworks make sure they comply with the safety standard BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use i.e. indoor, garden or display. To safely use fireworks, you should also always follow the firework safety code. Make sure that you: Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin Use them one at a time and replace the lid immediately afterwards Never put fireworks in your pocket Read the firework instructions carefully using a torch or lamp, but never use a naked flame as a light to do this Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter Stand well back and never go over to a firework after it has been lit because it could explode in your face Always ensure that any children with fireworks are well supervised Never throw fireworks Keep all pets and animals indoors. For further information on fireworks and keeping pets safe, refer to the animal charity Blue Cross website ( www.bluecross.org.uk ). Be careful with sparklers. Make sure you wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished Remember that fireworks are explosives and can be dangerous if not handled properly. Bonfires Despite annual safety warnings, there are still far too many accidents that occur during bonfire night celebrations. You need to remember to be careful with bonfires as well as with fireworks. The council encourages you to manage without a bonfire during the 5th of November celebrations. If you do go ahead and have a bonfire, make sure you do the following: Position the bonfire as far as possible away from your house, trees, hedges, fences or sheds Never use a flammable liquid like petrol or paraffin to get a bonfire started. If lighting your bonfire is difficult, use domestic firelighters to help it Check very carefully that there isn’t an animal or anybody hidden inside the bonfire Don't light your bonfire until after all your fireworks have been let off Keep everyone at a safe distance away from the bonfire and don't let anyone throw anything onto it Loose clothing or long scarves should never be worn near a bonfire because they are a fire hazard and can easily catch light. Further advice on fireworks For more advice on firework safety, please refer to the following websites: Fireworks safety campaign Fire kills London fire service The child accident prevention trust UK fireworks safety Trading standards central Health and safety executive (HSE) Consumer direct Further information For more information please contact: Mulberry Place (AH) PO Box 55739 5 Clove Crescent E14 1BY Tel: 020 7364 6800 Fax: 020 7364 6935 minicom: 020 7364 5975 E-mail: tradingstandards@towerhamlets.gov.uk website: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/towerhamlets Pid No: 348 - 426 - 796 - 799	Search the site Search Enter a keyword for the service or information you require View A - Z of services See also The following links contain information relevant to this section Related services Related forms Site index Community Safety Awards Read the Council Committee reports and agendas
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