Fireworks safety

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Trading Standards would like to see both children and adults enjoy fireworks in a safe and responsible way.

Our four key messages are simply:

1. Don’t buy fireworks from the back of a van or from any other illegal outlet.  They may not comply with safety requirements, may not have been tested and may not carry product liability insurance.

2. Keep to the Firework Safety Code:Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114 and keep them in a closed box, take them out one at a time and close the lid afterwards.

• Light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper and follow the instructions carefully on each firework.  Read the instructions by torchlight, never use a naked flame
• Never throw fireworks, never put them in your pocket and never go back to a lit firework – it may go off in your face
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves - never give sparklers to a child under five
• Keep pets indoors

3. Fireworks and alcohol do not mix and could easily be a lethal combination. Whoever is in charge of setting off the fireworks or lighting the bonfire needs to be responsible and in a fit state.

4. Noisy fireworks can be fun, but can cause a terrible disturbance to residents and frighten pets and other animals. It is important to be considerate when using them. Don’t set off noisy fireworks late at night and never after 11pm, it can actually be an offence to cause a disturbance with fireworks, under the Noise Act 1996 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990.