Stay Safe This Fireworks Season

16th October 2024

Follow OPSS guidance to purchase, use and dispose of fireworks safely and responsibly.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has produced safety tips for this fireworks season on how to use fireworks responsibly and considerately to help protect both people and animals.

You must only buy from licensed sellers
Make sure you buy fireworks from licensed or registered in-store and online retailers. Do not buy fireworks from unknown retailers on social media sites. Remember it is illegal for under 18s to buy fireworks.

Choose traditional dates and keep to the curfew
People are more likely to plan to protect pets and other animals if fireworks are let off on traditional dates. The firework curfew is midnight on Fireworks Night, 1am on Diwali, New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year, and 11pm the rest of the year. Firework timings may differ in Scotland. Search ‘fireworks' on gov.scot for more advice.

Follow the instructions carefully
Before letting off fireworks, read all the safety instructions on the box, so you know important things like how far away people need to stand. If you do not understand the instructions and warnings, do not use the firework. Once any debris has cooled down, tidy it up and soak it in water overnight. Then put it in a rubbish bag and in the bin.

Check what fireworks you can use at home
Category F1, F2 and F3 fireworks are on sale to the public depending on the safety distance required. Check the labelling to ensure you have enough space to safely use a firework before you buy it.

Always follow the Firework Code. Search ‘fireworks' on GOV.UK for more advice.

Think of local animals before setting off fireworks
If you plan to let off any fireworks, let your neighbours know in advance so they can plan for pets that might be affected.

If you live close to horses, let their owners know well in advance that you are letting fireworks off. Site your fireworks well away from them and aim them in the opposite direction. It is important to be considerate to horse owners as they cannot easily move horses away from fireworks.

Notify nearby farms and stables if you are planning to use fireworks. Do not let off fireworks if they will disturb wildlife habitats, or roosting bats and birds.

Keep your pet safe
On nights where fireworks are being let off, keep dogs and cats inside with somewhere to hide and give small outdoor pets extra bedding and nesting material to burrow in.

Scotland
Firework control zones - 24 September 2024
Local councils can designate areas as 'Firework Control Zones' to restrict the use of fireworks.

In Firework Control Zones:

it is against the law to set off fireworks anywhere, including on private property, except for category 1 fireworks (sparklers, crackers, party poppers)

organised public firework displays are allowed, so people can enjoy fireworks safely

There are a small number of exemptions to this. Find out more at: Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.

Check your council website to find out if there are local Firework Control Zones in place.

Apply for your area to be covered by a Firework Control Zone
Councils should have a process in place for communities to request a firework control zone in their area.

Check with your local council to find out about the process for requesting a zone in your area.

Guidance for councils
Councils must consult with communities before setting up or removing a Firework Control Zone.

22 June 23
New firework laws come into force
Powers to help improve firework safety.

Local authorities have new powers to reduce the negative impact of fireworks.

From today (Thursday June 22), councils can designate Firework Control Zones that would make it a criminal offence to ignite a firework, or knowingly throw a lit firework in a zone which can include private properties or gardens. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison.

Organised public firework displays will still be permitted within Zones to allow people to enjoy fireworks safely.

The provisions are one of the key measures from the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown said: "Evidence and engagement with communities shows strong public support for tougher action on fireworks, which along with other pyrotechnic articles can cause harm, serious injury and distress to people, pets and the wider community.

"Giving local authorities additional powers to create Firework Control Zones, with input from the local community, marks a significant step in tackling the issues caused by fireworks, which are dangerous when used inappropriately.

"This change to the law demonstrates our absolute commitment to further improve public safety and wellbeing for our communities."

Police Scotland Chief Inspector Nicola Robison said: "Fireworks Control Zones allow local authorities the power to designate areas where fireworks cannot be possessed or set off and ultimately restricts the improper use of such items in Scotland.

"It is a criminal offence to be in possession of, or setting off, fireworks within a Fireworks Control Zone and I would urge all members of the public to be aware of designated zones within your local area to ensure you are not in breach of the legislation.

"Police Scotland is committed to keeping the public safe from the risk of harm associated with the reckless and criminal use of fireworks and we welcome the addition of Fireworks Control Zones within Scotland."

Review Group member, and Director of Innovation and Strategic Relations at the Scottish SPCA, Gilly Mendes Ferreira said: "We warmly welcome introduction of Firework Control Zones. The restrictions are much needed to prevent unnecessary suffering among pets, farm animals and wildlife. They will help to alleviate distress caused by fireworks and also prevent any firework debris that can be harmful to, or ingested by, animals."

Firework Control Zones are part of a suite of complimentary measures being introduced by the Scottish Government aimed at encouraging the safe and appropriate use of fireworks. Earlier this month, new offences came into force to tackle the risk to public safety caused by the misuse of pyrotechnics. It is now illegal for members of the public to possess pyrotechnics in a public place, as well as at any sporting or live music events with more than 1,000 people attending, without a reasonable excuse.

The creation of Firework Control Zones was included in recommendations made to the Scottish Government by the independent Firework Review Group alongside limiting the quantity of fireworks which can be sold and restricting the times of day when fireworks can be used in public . These recommendations have already been progressed through primary and secondary legislation, with a programme of work underway to implement the remaining measures.

Buying and selling fireworks and pyrotechnics
You must be:

over 18 to buy ‘adult' fireworks

over 16 to buy category 1 fireworks (except for Christmas crackers and percussion caps for toy guns)

It is also illegal for adults to make fireworks or pyrotechnics available to anyone under the age of 18.

When you can buy fireworks
You can buy fireworks for private use from registered sellers on:

15 October to 10 November

26 to 31 December

Diwali and the 3 days before Diwali

the first day of Chinese New Year, and the 3 days before it

At other times you can only buy fireworks from specialist shops.

Warning
It is against the law for adults to buy, sell or give fireworks to anyone under 18, except category 1 fireworks (some sparklers, party poppers, novelty crackers).

Storing fireworks
You can keep up to 50kg of category 2 or 3 fireworks for up to 21 days as long as these are not for sale or use at work. This is to help people and organisations planning to hold larger firework displays.

If you want to store more than 50kg of fireworks you will need a licence from your local council. The Health and Safety Executive provide further information on the storage of fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Selling and supplying fireworks
Businesses must have a licence to store and sell fireworks. You can get more guidance on this and apply for a licence through your local council.

Registered sellers can only sell fireworks to the public between 7am and 6pm on the above dates. You'll need to apply for an additional licence if you want to sell fireworks outside these dates.

You must not sell or supply more than 5kg of fireworks to a member of the public at any one time.

Suppliers outside of Scotland
The law set out in this guide applies to anyone supplying fireworks to the public in Scotland. This includes businesses based outside Scotland selling fireworks online where delivery takes place in Scotland.

Making fireworks safer
Criminal offence to supply fireworks and pyrotechnics to under 18s.

New powers to enforce the safe use of fireworks are to come into force.

Legislation making it a criminal offence for anyone to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or person under 18 comes into effect on 10 October.

From the same date, attacks on emergency workers using fireworks or pyrotechnics will also become aggravating factors that can be taken into account when courts sentence offenders. The measures are set out in the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 passed by the Scottish Parliament on 29 June.

The key powers are being brought into force in advance of Bonfire Night and build on steps taken last year restricting the times fireworks can be used, when they can be bought, and the quantity. Work is progressing to enact other powers set out in the Act, including the introduction of a fireworks licensing system, with mandatory safety training, for people wishing to purchase and use fireworks, and introducing powers for local authorities to designate firework control zones.

Community Safety Minister Ash Regan said:

"These important new powers have been delivered at pace and make it a criminal offence for anyone to supply fireworks or other pyrotechnic articles to a child or person under age 18.

"Fireworks in the wrong hands can cause serious, life-changing injuries or even prove lethal. Preventing their supply - in any way - to under 18s is a wholly welcome step which will bring greater public safety across Scotland.

“It's also extremely important swift work has progressed which will see hard-working and brave 999 crews - who work tirelessly to keep us all safe - better protected.

“Any attack on fire, ambulance and police crews is utterly despicable so ensuring courts are required to take into consideration the use fireworks or pyrotechnics as a possible aggravating factor in any attack on 999 crews is a real deterrent to such vile behaviour.

“Work is now progressing to see other provisions set out in the ground-breaking legislation brought into force. These are essential steps which demonstrate our absolute commitment to improving the safety of communities across Scotland."

Chief Inspector Nicola Robison from Police Scotland's Partnerships, Preventions and Community Wellbeing Division, said:

“Fireworks, when not used lawfully, present a significant risk to the public and so preventing such items from being purchased by, or for, anyone under the age of 18, is vitally important for keeping communities safe.

“Buying fireworks for underage youths can result in a £5,000 fine, six-months imprisonment, or both and our message is clear. Do not risk it. Help us prevent disorder, damage and violence over the Bonfire Night period.

“The new aggravator for attacks on emergency service workers is also a welcome legislative change and should give all frontline first responders additional reassurance that their safety and wellbeing is paramount as they go about their duties."

Background

The new under-18 proxy purchase and supply and emergency worker attack aggravator offences come into effect on 10 October 2022.

These further legislative changes build upon regulations that came into force last year which:

restrict the times of day fireworks can be used by the general public to between 6pm and 11pm, with the exception of 5 November (when they can be used from 6pm until midnight), Hogmanay, the night of Chinese New Year and the night of Diwali (when they can be used from 6pm until 1am)
restrict the times of day fireworks can be supplied to the general public to during the daytime hours of 7am and 6pm, alongside existing requirements on retailers around sale and storage licences
limit the quantity of fireworks that can be supplied to the general public to 5kg at any one time
The passage of the Bill saw extensive consultation and stakeholder engagement with the legislation receiving strong backing from a coalition of professional medical bodies who described it as an “historic achievement” and “a major step forward for injury prevention in the community”.

A consultation last year, ahead of the Bill’s introduction, further demonstrated strong desire for change. Analysis of the 2021 consultation responses showed 92% of respondents agreed with the introduction of a 'proxy purchasing' offence in relation to fireworks to criminalise the supply of fireworks to young people under the age of 18.