Nearly everyone loves Fireworks apart from Guy Fawkes and household pets and you can now buy fireworks online from various retailers. You may think that buying these sorts of fireworks online would be difficult or tied up in legal red tape but there really isn’t. The only things you need to take into consideration is safety when using fireworks and the law.
Fireworks supplied in the UK – whether they are imported or manufactured here – must be authorised by the Health and Safety Executive. They must also be safe as required by the Fireworks Safety Regulations 1997. The law covers different aspects but the main points are as follows:
It is an offence, which can result in a fine of up to £5000 (and/or a prison sentence), to:
• supply unsafe fireworks (this includes retail sale)
• sell fireworks to anyone who is under the age of 18
• possess fireworks in a public place if under the age of 18
• sell fireworks all year round without a licence to supply
• possess a category 4 firework if other than a fireworks professional
• set fireworks off after 11 o clock at night (There are exceptions to this rule as on Bonfire night you can use fireworks up until midnight and for other celebrations and holidays like Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year you can use fireworks until 1am)
In addition, before storing fireworks, suppliers must either register or licence their storage premises with their local authority or, where large quantities are concerned, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Under the Explosives Act 1875, it is also an offence to let-off fireworks in a public place; or to alter them without a licence from HSE. The penalty for infringement is a fine of up to £5,000.
