Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Vale of White Horse District Council

Fireworks

When can I use fireworks?

It is against the law for anyone under 18 to possess fireworks, and for anyone except professionals to possess display fireworks in a public place.

These regulations also ban the use of fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am in England and Wales. The only exceptions to this curfew are for the following festivals:

• Until 1am on the night of the Chinese New Year
• Until 1am on the night of Diwali
• Until 1am on the night on New Years Eve
• Until midnight on 5 November  

These regulations are enforced by the police. There is a penalty of up to £5,000 or six months in prison for breaching this curfew. For more information about how the police enforce these regulations see the Thames Valley Police website.

Fireworks – why worry?

Noise - Fireworks can frighten and intimidate people, especially the elderly. Animals have been scared to death – literally - by fireworks, others may be startled leading to injury and accidents.

Air pollution - Fireworks can be very colourful and this is caused by a cocktail of chemicals. On or around Bonfire Night there is often a noticeable increase in air pollution from fireworks and bonfires.

Safety - Fireworks are explosives and must be used with caution. For information on firework safety is available from the Department of Trade and Industry which co-ordinates national firework safety campaigns. See the DTI website or email enquiries@dti.gov.uk. More advice about firework safety is available from the Fire Service website.

The law regarding the sale of fireworks 

In January 2005, sections 9 and 11 of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 came into force in England, Wales and Scotland, prohibiting the sale of fireworks to the public from unlicensed traders except for:

• Chinese New Year and the three days before
• Diwali and three days before
• 15 October to 10 November (for Bonfire Night celebrations)
• 26 to 31 December (for New Year celebrations).

Traders need to apply for a licence to supply fireworks year round.

Under the Control of Explosives Regulations 1991, it is an offence to keep fireworks (except those for private use) on premises that have not been registered for this purpose. Individuals can store fireworks for private use for up to 14 days, provided they are kept in a safe place.

Advice if you are organising a firework display

• Tell your neighbours – particularly important if they are elderly, have children or pets
• Use appropriate fireworks – when buying fireworks, try to avoid really noisy ones.   Your supplier should be able to tell you what they are selling
• Make sure pets and other animals are safely away from fireworks
• Consider timing – if you are using fireworks for a celebration, a Friday or Saturday is preferable, and make sure they are finished by 11pm
• Avoid letting off fireworks in unsuitable weather – if it is still and misty or air quality is poor, pollution could be a problem. Strong winds can be hazardous. Check air quality on 0800 556677 or www.airquality.co.uk
• Let off your fireworks in an open garden area – noise bounces off buildings and smoke and pollution can build up in enclosed spaces
• If a neighbour complains that you are disturbing them, their pets or livestock – be considerate
• After your display, clear up firework fallout and dispose of it safely 

What is the Council’s role in controlling fireworks?

Most of the controls over the sale and use of fireworks are enforced by other bodies, such as trading standards at Oxfordshire County Council or the Police. However, if you are bothered by frequent use of fireworks from a particular property, such as a hotel providing firework displays as part of wedding celebrations, this may be considered a noise nuisance – for more information see What is noise nuisance? and What the Council can do about noise nusiance.