Fireworks safety at home

The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us at MK Fireworks King. Having fireworks at home can be great fun, as long as they are used safely. 

If you’re planning on having a party at home and want to jazz it up with some fireworks, here’s some tips on what to know.

Respectful use

Please be considerate of your neighbours with the start and end time of the event. Provide neighbours with pre-warning where possible. Once that’s all sorted, it’s time for treats and drinks. Then just sit back and enjoy the show.

Where to buy

Don’t cut corners just to save a few pounds. Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS 7114 written on the box.

Sometimes shops open up for a short time before Bonfire Night but these may not be the best places to buy fireworks from if they are not an existing company. Staff in these shops might not be very knowledgeable about using fireworks safely and their fireworks might not meet British Standards.

Whatever you do, don’t buy fireworks from anywhere you’re not sure about, such as the back of a van or from a temporary, unlicensed market stall.

What to buy

There are different categories of fireworks. Members of the public can buy and set off most of the fireworks that come under Categories 1 to 3. These are fireworks that include those that you can use indoors, or in your garden. Always read the packet carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you are going to set them off.

You’ll need the right type of fireworks for your event and guests. Is it a party for the little ones? If so, then consider a garden fireworks selection box. This will normally consist of small fountains and Catherine wheels. Sparklers always go down well. If you have dogs or elderly neighbours, then you may want to go for low noise or dog friendly fireworks. Again, fountains and low noise rockets are a great way for everyone to enjoy them. If it’s a bigger event and you feel like pulling out the stops, then you may want to bring out the big guns such as rockets and barrages.

Professional fireworks

Some fireworks can only be bought and used by firework professionals. These include: air bombs; aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar; all bangers; mini rockets; fireworks with erratic flight; some Category 2 and 3 fireworks which exceed certain size limits; and all Category 4 fireworks.

Be safe not sorry

Fireworks are safe if you use them properly. If you’re putting on a home display, you should follow some simple steps to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt.

Keep kids safe

We want children to enjoy fireworks, but they need to know that they are dangerous and should not go near them especially when lit. If you are concerned the Child Accident Prevention Trust have lots of tips on keeping kids safe.

Setting them off

Only one person should be in charge of fireworks. If that’s you, then make sure you take all the necessary precautions. Read the instructions in daylight and don’t drink any alcohol until they’ve all been discharged. Make your preparations in advance, and in daylight.

On the night, you will need:

  • A torch
  • A bucket or two of water
  • Eye protection and gloves
  • A bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in
  • Suitable supports and launchers if you’re setting off Catherine wheels or rockets

Firework safety top 10 tips

  1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable as possible
  2. If you are using a selection box, keep fireworks in the box and use them one at a time
  3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework and follow the safety advice and distance
  4. Light the firework at arm’s length with a port fire or safety lighter and stand well back
  5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
  6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit
  7. Be aware of elderly neighbours and start and finish the show at a socially responsible time
  8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
  9. Ensure young children are under constant supervision
  10. Keep pets indoors

Safety rules for sparklers

Never give them to young children under five years old. Always wear gloves with sparklers, preferably leather ones. Hold them at arm’s length. Use in a clear space away from others. Never hold a baby in your arms when you are holding a sparkler. When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water straight away and leave it there until the next day.

  • Sparklers should not be given to anyone under the age of five
  • To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is equivalent to the heat from a welding torch
  • Sparklers are often viewed as being harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures