1. Store fireworks in their original packaging and away from sources of heat including heaters, naked flames and people smoking. It is essential that fireworks are kept dry. If kept in a shed, wrap them up tightly in plastic bags.
2. Always read and follow the CE marked instructions label well before you intend to use them. Different fireworks have different safety distances.
3. Make sure you have enough space to set up the fireworks and make sure the spectators can be at least the minimum safety distances stated on the fireworks CE labels. Check for overhead obstructions i.e. trees with overhanging branches.
4. Make sure you have the land owners permission to set off fireworks – if it is your garden then you will be ok, but a public park or public street is not ok.
5. Fireworks can be set off any day of the week, but not after 11pm except for; Bonfire Night Nov 5th – midnight, New Years Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year – 1am
6. Notify neighbours you are having a display particularly if it is not on Bonfire Night or New Year’s Eve, and especially if they have pets, young children or may be alarmed by the sudden noise of fireworks. If your neighbours know fireworks are going to happen they have a chance to keep pets inside, or look after young children etc.
7. Check the weather forecast for the day/evening you want to use the fireworks. If its raining or very windy, consider firing another night. If fireworks get damp they won’t fire and/or could become unsafe to use.

1. Torch or Headtorch – essential. You will be using both hands so a headtorch is much better for reading instructions.
2. Some sand and plastic rubble sacks to make sandbags to support and hold the fireworks in place. One bag of builders sand will make 2 goodsized sandbags.
3. A couple of buckets and a large plastic bottle. One bucket filled with sand to support small fireworks. One bucket and the large plastic bottle filled with water to be used as water dousers.
4. Wooden boards and timber to create a flat level surface on uneven ground to stand the fireworks on.
5. Gloves – to protect your hands and and keep them warm and functioning in the cold.
6. Safety Glasses, Ear Defenders and Hard Hat – something to consider if they make you feel more confident. Safety glasses tend to steam up in cold weather, and with ear defenders you can’t hear people. Being able to see and hear clearly will be more important.

If you have a lot of fireworks to set off, it’s worth planning the order you want to set them off in. It’s a good idea to set up 3 fireworks 1 meter apart; set those off one after the other; and then douse them with water before clearing them away and setting up 3 more.

1. Clothing – wear natural fibre clothing– wool or cotton is best. Man-made fibres melt when they burn. Avoid loose and unbuttoned clothing. Tie back long hair and wear a hat.
2. Never drink alcohol when handling or lighting fireworks – fireworks are explosives and people could get hurt if you make a mistake.
3. Keep the fireworks away from naked flames and sparks. Never smoke when handling or lighting fireworks.
4. Only set up and then light 3 fireworks at a time.
5. Always light fireworks at an arms length using a PORTFIRE – one portfire will last long enough to light 3 fireworks. Never lean over a firework.
6. Make sure spectators are at least at the minimum safety distance as stated on the fireworks labels.

Step 1

Place the firework cake on firm flat and level ground. Use a board and timber to make a flat and level surface if the ground is uneven or slopping.

Make sure Fan Cakes are facing the right way – the arrow on the yellow label is pointing towards the spectators.

Step 2

Place a sandbag against each side of the cake to hold it firmly in an upright position.

The top of the sandbags should be level with the red line on the CE label on the firework.

Step 3

Peel back the orange fuse cover to expose the fuse, and if necessary pick the fuse out from under the paper and bend it away from the surface to make it easier to see and light.

Step 4

Ensuring no part of your body is over the firework; standing to the front of the cake (spectators side), at arms length light the outer most end of the fuse using a portfire, and move immediately to the safety distance stated on the firework CE label.

Step 1 – Place a bucket of sand on a firm, flat and level surface.
Step 2 – Bury roman candle or fountain in the sand up to the red line on the CE label. Protect the base from damp with a plastic bag.
Step 3 – Peel back the orange fuse cover.
Step 4 – light the outer most end of the fuse using a portfire at arms lenght, and move immediately to the safety distance stated on the firework CE label.