Household Bills
The little-known firework laws that could lead to an unlimited fine
Tonight is Bonfire Night – but there are strict rules about who can buy fireworks and when they can be set off.
Firstly, you can’t buy ‘adult’ fireworks if you’re under 18. Category 1 fireworks are ones you might use indoors, such as party poppers.
Adult fireworks are category 2, 3 and 4 fireworks such as those you’d use in your garden or a public display. Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals.
Shopkeepers can be fined an unlimited amount if they sell fireworks to anyone under 18.
It’s against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on certain occasions. Bonfire Night is one of those occasions – the cut off time is midnight tonight. The other exceptions are New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.
The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places. Your local council might also have rules about setting off fireworks.
You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use between 15 October and 10 November, 26 and 31 December, and three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.
You can be fined an unlimited amount and imprisoned for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally. However, on-the-spot fines of £90 are more common.
