Bonfire Night Special: Our guide to staying safe when using fireworks

Whether it's for Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve, or any other occasion, fireworks can add fun and excitement to a celebration. However, when not used correctly and with safety in mind, fireworks can be dangerous too. 

With this in mind, read our guide to staying safe when using fireworks for all the tips and advice you need for firework safety and bonfire night safety.

If you're planning a celebration involving fireworks, it is crucial to ensure that you always follow the instructions for each type of firework. This is one of the rules of the Firework Code. 

As it's likely you'll be lighting fireworks at night, following instructions can mean reading in the dark. If so, do not - under any circumstances - use a naked flame as a light, and only use a torch instead.

An important element of firework safety is ensuring that you always follow the Firework Code. While fireworks can pose a danger to everyone, more adults than children get injured by fireworks, suggesting that they're not always following the Firework Code correctly. 

Here are some key rules from the Firework Code:

• Ensure only adults set up, light and dispose of fireworks
• Do not drink alcohol when setting off fireworks
• Make sure that fireworks are stored in a closed box
• Do not put fireworks in your pocket
• Never throw fireworks

It is essential when buying fireworks for bonfire night in the UK, that you only buy them from a retailer holding a fireworks licence. Such retailers may sell fireworks in-store or online. When shopping for fireworks, be sure to avoid social media sites which may contain links to unknown and unlicenced retailers.

Also, when you buy your fireworks, make sure they are CE-marked, and remember that no one under the age of 18 years is allowed to buy fireworks. They are also not allowed to carry them in public.

There are only certain categories of fireworks you are allowed to use at home. These are usually the F1 and F2 category fireworks. Whilst you can buy category F3 fireworks, you may not be able to use these at home if you have a small garden or outdoor space. The use of the F3 category will, therefore, depend on the amount of space you have.

If you decide to have a fireworks display at home, you will have to take on responsibility for some key firework safety points. For example, it is always important to bear in mind what is a safe distance to stand away from fireworks. The answer to this when lighting them is to hold the firework at arm's length. Also, it should be lit with a firework light or a taper, not your lighter. 

It is important to ensure that others know where to stand for firework safety too, particularly when young children are watching fireworks. So, why not mark a line to make it clear to all that they should be at least five metres from your bonfire. 

You should discuss the fact that you are considering a bonfire and fireworks at home with your neighbours. Also if, after your garden fireworks and bonfire, others help you tidy up, ensure they wear gloves or tongs in case items are still hot as they can cause a burn. 

If you attend a bonfire or host one as part of your bonfire night celebrations in the UK, you will need to be clued up on bonfire safety. A key bonfire safety tip is that the bonfire should be a minimum of 18 metres (60 ft) from your house, including any surrounding items such as trees, hedges, fences or sheds. 

Here are some key bonfire safety and firework safety tips:

• Ensure clothes contain a CE mark as they are at risk of catching alight
• Ask children to leave their loose clothing and accessories indoors
• Keep children away from the bonfire, fireworks and any sparklers
• Store fireworks in a metal box while you are not using them
• Once a firework is lit, never go back to it before it has gone off or it could explode in your face
• Fireworks, after they have been used, can still contain gunpowder, so never throw them on fire
• Keep buckets of water nearby in case of an emergency
• Never light your fire with items such as petrol, paraffin or white spirit

Sparklers are usually a fun addition to any firework display or bonfire. But while they're often thought of as safer than fireworks, they are still very dangerous. Did you know that they can reach temperatures 16 times hotter than boiling water? 

When using sparklers, you should be aware of sparkler safety. For example, children should be kept away from sparklers if they are under the age of five and over this age, you must supervise them closely.

Other useful sparkler safety tips are:

• Never hold more than one sparkler at once
• Use gloves when handling sparklers and keep them at arm's length
• Light sparklers one at a time
• Do not hold a baby when holding a sparkler
• Do not wave sparklers near others or run with them
• When finished with sparklers, put them safely in a bucket of cold water

It is common knowledge that animals tend not to enjoy fireworks night in the UK, and as part of your firework safety, you should keep your pets indoors. This is a rule of the Firework Code. Also, small pets which normally live outside may need extra bedding to hide in.

If you know that horses live nearby, you should also tell their owners that you plan on fireworks.

Bonfire night in the UK isn't everyone's cup of tea, so as part of your bonfire night safety you should be considerate of others. The fireworks code sets out that you should not set off noisy fireworks after 11 pm. 

However, there are specific times of the year when you are allowed to let fireworks off after this time such as on New Year's Eve and for Chinese New Year and three days before the latter. 

If you have ever wondered what are the dangers of using fireworks, a whole host of points can spring to mind. That is why if you're concerned about firework safety, it might be better to opt to go to a fireworks display instead. In fact, some fire departments recommend that you do this.

^{Last updated 21.10.22}