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Fireworks Safety

Fireworks displays can be spectacular and entertaining to watch. But be careful, as fireworks are explosive and accidents can happen especially when handled by non-professionals or when treated carelessly.

You can enjoy fireworks at public displays or at home displays supervised by adults. Times of the year when you are more likely to find fireworks displays include Halloween and Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year.

Things to remember about fireworks and the law

The Fireworks Act makes it an offence to do the following things:

• Let fireworks off in a public place - in public places such as parks, on the street or at school for example. Public displays are usually planned and given permission.
• Sell fireworks to people under 18 - you can't buy fireworks if you are under 18 and shops should refuse to sell fireworks to children.
• Buying and using professional fireworks if you aren't a firework professional - some fireworks can only be handled by professionals. These include bombs, aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells/maroons-in-mortar, all bangers, mini rockets, fireworks with erratic flight, all category 4 fireworks and some category 2 and 3 fireworks which exceed certain size limits.
• Possess fireworks in public if you are under 18 - it's illegal to carry adult fireworks around with you (anything other than caps, sparklers, cracker snaps and indoor fireworks) if you're under 18. The penalty is a fine of up to £5000 or a six month prison sentence.
• Light fireworks after 11 pm - to prevent noise disturbing people's sleep, you can't light fireworks after 11pm. On special fireworks nights like the 5th of November, this is extended to midnight.

Enjoy fireworks, but don't mess around with them carelessly or you could be badly burned or worse. It's also not worth breaking the law and getting an ASBO or fined. Remember that police constables are allowed to stop and search anyone who is suspected of carrying fireworks in public.

Follow the fireworks code

The fireworks code is a simple set of guidelines that can help to prevent accidents when dealing with fireworks. You've probably come across these before as they're taught when you're young, but the safety advice can apply to all ages from children to adults.

• Only buy fireworks marked with the BS 7114 safety standard.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box - you wouldn't want stray sparks getting into a box of fireworks.
• Follow the instructions on each firework - these may differ depending on the type.
• Light all fireworks at arms length and with a taper.
• Stand well back.
• Never go back to a lit firework - even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket.
• Never throw fireworks.
• Don't drink alcolhol if you are handling or setting off fireworks.
• Keep pets indoors.

Sparkler safety

Sparklers are fun to carry around but remember that they aren't toys - they're still fireworks and can get five times hotter than cooking oil! Remember:

• Don't give sparklers to children under 5.
• Wear gloves when handling sparklers and light them one at a time.
• When you're done with the sparkler, dunk and leave it in a bucket of water or sand. You wouldn't want a young child to come across one that's been dumped on the ground and is still hot.