Firework safety

Our advice will help keep you safe if you’re using fireworks and sparklers at home.

It’s always safer to attend a professionally run firework display, instead of one at somebody else's or your own home. Most firework-related injuries happen when people are using fireworks in their gardens. 

Colourful fireworks bursting in a circular pattern in a night sky.

What not to do when using fireworks

  • Drink alcohol.
  • Go near a firework that has been lit - even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode.
  • Put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
  • Let off fireworks after 11pm.

Seven steps to using fireworks safely

  1. Only buy fireworks with a CE mark.
  2. Keep fireworks in a closed box.
  3. Follow the instructions on each firework.
  4. Light them at arm's length, using a taper.
  5. Stand well back.
  6. Always supervise children around fireworks.
  7. Keep pets indoors.

      Using sparklers safely

      Sparklers can reach temperatures more than 15 times hotter than boiling water. Follow our advice to stay safe when using sparklers. 

      1. Light sparklers one at a time.
      2. Wear gloves.
      3. Keep a bucket of water nearby. Put them in the water as soon as they've finished to cool them down.
      4. Only give sparklers to children over the age of five.

      We’ve made a fun video to show you how you can use vegetables to handle your sparklers safely!

      Disposal of fireworks

      Fireworks that have successfully gone off can be put in a bin after use. 

      If your fireworks have misfired or are unused then remember to soak it, bag it, bin it. Submerge them for 48 hours in water before putting them in a bag and throwing them in the bin.

      Put used fireworks (fireworks that went off) in a refuse bin.

      Illegal uses of fireworks

      You will be breaking the law if you use fireworks in the following ways:

      • setting fireworks off or throwing them in a street or public place
      • carrying fireworks in public if you're under 18 
      • letting fireworks off during night hours (11pm to 7am). There are exceptions to this rule on Bonfire Night (when you can set them off until midnight). For Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year, you can set off fireworks until 1am
      • tampering with or modifying fireworks.

      If you are looking for bonfire safety advice, please visit our bonfires webpage.

      Sky lanterns

      We do not recommend the use of sky lanterns (sometimes known as Chinese lanterns) due to the fire hazards and risks they pose to property, crops, livestock and the environment.

      If you do use these types of lanterns, do not launch:

      • if any part of it is damaged
      • if you are under the influence of alcohol 
      • if the wind is stronger than five miles per hour
      • if you’re within five miles of an airfield, airport, or near the coast
      • if you’re near built-up areas or roads, crops, thatched buildings, hay bales, trees, and power lines.

      You must make sure to:

      • only allow two adults to launch a lantern – never children
      • follow the instructions carefully 
      • have water or a fire extinguisher close by.
      Lots of sky lanterns glowing golden in the dark night sky.