If you want to set off fireworks, there are a number of restrictions you must comply with. These are stated in the Fireworks Regulations of 2004 (as amended).
Among the regulations are the following:
- Under-18s may not possess adult fireworks in a public place
- Suppliers cannot sell category three fireworks with sound levels exceeding 120 decibels
- You may not use adult fireworks during the night (11pm to 7am) except on certain dates (see below)
Special occasions
You can set off fireworks later on certain special occasions.
- Chinese new year – the ban on using fireworks is between 1am and 7am
- Guy Fawkes' Night (5th November) – the ban is between midnight and 7am
- Diwali – the ban is between 1am and 7am
- New Year's Eve – the ban is between 1am and 7am
Diwali/Chinese new year dates
These dates vary from year to year. For the next few years, they are as follows:
Diwali
- 5 November 2010
- 26 October 2011
- 13 November 2012
- 3 November 2013
- 23 October 2014
Chinese New Year
- 14 February 2010
- 3 February 2011
- 23 January 2012
- 10 February 2013
- 31 January 2014
Enforcement
South Gloucestershire Trading Standards is responsible for enforcing regulation 8 – the ban on excessively loud category three fireworks.
The police are responsible for enforcing the following regulations:
- Regulation 4 – the ban on under-18s possessing fireworks in public places
- Regulation 5 – the ban on possessing a category four firework unless you are a fireworks professional
- Regulation 7 – the ban on the use of certain fireworks during night hours