Fireworks should not be sold to
persons under 18 years of age. Bangers are now illegal and throwing
fireworks is an offence. Despite this there are still many injuries
occuring every November.
Sparklers in particular are still though of as fairly harmless
although they account for the largest number of injuries every
year.
- Only buy fireworks marked BS7114;
- Buy fireworks as near to the event as possible;
- Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks;
- Keep fireworks in a closed box;
- Follow the instructions on each firework;
- Light them at arm's length using a taper;
- Stand well back;
- Never go back to a lit firework;
- Never throw fireworks;
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves;
- Never give sparklers to a child under five; and
- Keep pets indoors.
Organising firework events
If you are organising an event with fireworks the safety of your
audience is of the highest priority.
You should have three areas, a firing area (50m x 20m) with a
dropping zone (100m x 50m) behind. The spectators area should be on
the opposite side of the firing area at least 25m from the dropping
zone.
Metal bins should be used throughout the site and you should
have at least one adequately trained steward for every 250
spectators.
You should check with the
Trading
Standards office as to whether you will need a storage licence
and for large events the fire service and police should be informed
and first aid facilities provided.
Experienced people should be recruited to light the fireworks
and spectators should not be allowed to bring their own. Spent
fireworks can be burnt but should be left until spectators have
gone as this may be potentially dangerous. If a firework has failed
to go off it should be doused in
water.