Fireworks

Are there any other rules governing the sale of fireworks?

1. Fireworks intended for sale to the public must comply with BS 7114, and be labelled accordingly.
2. The following fireworks must not be supplied to members of the general public, regardless of their age:

• Fireworks intended for professional use
• Bangers (including batteries containing bangers, for example Chinese crackers)
• Aerial shells and maroons, shells in mortar and maroons in mortar
• Mini rockets
• Fireworks with erratic flight (eg jumping jacks, ground spinners)

3. Fireworks must not be sold separately if they are intended to be sold together as a pack.
4. Sparklers must be labelled Warning - not to be given to children under 5 years of age.

Note: Premises storing fireworks for sale must be registered to do so. Strict rules govern the storage of fireworks, and you should seek detailed advice from the Trading Standards Service on how to do this safely.

Should I display any notices for customers?

If you sell fireworks, a notice must be prominently displayed stating:

What are the penalties for breaking the law?

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000, or a prison sentence of up to 6 months, or both.

What should I do now?

You should set up a system to ensure that you have done all that is reasonable to prevent you or a member of your staff selling fireworks and similar goods to young people. You should now read the Preventing underage sales section of this pack for practical guidance on how best to do this.

If you are unsure how old a person is, ask for proof of age. If any doubt remains, always refuse the sale.