Falkirk Council

Fireworks are explosives
BE SAFE NOT SORRY, ALWAYS FOLLOW THE CODE

The Firework Safety Code

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.
• Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box.
• Follow the instructions on each firework.
• Light them at arm's length, using a taper.
• Stand well back.
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it doesn't go off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
• Always supervise children around fireworks.
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
• Never give sparklers to a child under five.
• Keep pets indoors.

There is now a legal curfew for letting off fireworks between 11.00pm and 7.00am, except on:

• 5th November, when it is allowed up until midnight
• Hogmanay / New Year's Eve, until 1.00am
• Diwali, (28 October 2008) until 1.00am
• Chinese New Year, (07 February 2008) until 1.00am

The law for purchasing or possessing fireworks

• It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess adult fireworks in a public place (with the exception of category 1 fireworks and category 2 sparklers).
• The age limit for buying adult fireworks or sparklers is 18.
• Category 1 fireworks (caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents, and throwdowns) must not be supplied to persons under 16.
• You can be fined for letting off fireworks off in a public place. The street outside is a public place, as is the Council park, the bus station, the schoolyard, the football stadium or the youth centre. 
• It is illegal to break open retail packs of fireworks and sell them individually.
• Any breach of the curfew times or these rules should be reported to Central Scotland Police. 

Registering for a licence or permit to sell fireworks

All premises where fireworks are stored must be registered or licensed by the local council. The current  registration fee for new premises is £86.00. Annual renewal of registration is £43.00.

Registration permits the supply of adult fireworks during the following periods:

• November 5th: October 15th to November 10th
• New Year: December 26th to December 31st
• Diwali: four days before, including Diwali
• Chinese New Year: four days before, including the day of Chinese New Year

A licence for the storage of fireworks which permits their year round sale costs £500 per year.

Each premises is inspected to ensure that the storage conditions are safe and secure and the types of firework for sale are appropriate.

Further advice for those organising fireworks displays, the Retailers' Guide to Selling Fireworks, the obligatory warning poster, the fireworks code leaflet and other advice to retailers, teachers, adults and children is available on the DTI Fireworks Safety site|.

If anyone tries to sell you fireworks door to door, or if you know of any business selling fireworks which is not on the list of registered premises, please email Trading Standards| or telephone us on 01324 504950.