When can you buy fireworks in the UK and at what times can you set them off?

Booming lovely – Bonfire Night is always a treat, if people stick to the rules (Picture: Getty)

Remember, Remember, the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot – I see no reason why these firework rules should ever be forgot.

Not quite as catchy as the original, but as we head into Guy Fawkes Night, the skies will surely be lit up with fireworks aplenty.

Though it’s an annual celebration that many enjoy, it’s still important to remember that improper use of fireworks – including who can buy them and when you can set them off – can come with quite a hefty fine – or even prison time.

This Bonfire Night, remember that there are ways you can celebrate safely and properly, adhering to the latest government rules on fireworks.

Here’s who can buy fireworks and when you can set them off…

Buying fireworks in the UK: who can buy them and when?

For the everyday customer, according to The Fireworks Regulations 2004 and The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, anyone over 18 can buy, carry or use category one, two and three fireworks.

Anyone over 16 can buy, carry or use category one fireworks.

Buying fireworks in the UK requires splitting fireworks into different categories.

Who doesn’t love a touch of sparkle? (Picture: Getty)

There are different restrictions for the different categories:

• Category one – ‘indoor’ fireworks – safe for use in extremely restricted areas.
• Category two – ‘garden’ fireworks – must be safely viewable from 5 metres away, and must scatter no debris beyond a 3-metre range
• Category three – ‘display’ fireworks – must be safely viewable from 25 metres away, and must scatter no debris beyond a 20-metre range.

There’s also a category four, but these are for professionals only and are banned from public sale.

Whichever category you’re looking to buy, there are restrictions on when you can pick them up.

Most likely not an ‘indoor’ firework… (Picture: Getty)

You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates:

• 15 October to 10 November
• 26 to 31 December
• 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year

You can buy them elsewhere in the year, but only from licensed shops.

Selling or using fireworks illegally can come with a fine of up to £5,000 and 6-months imprisonment.

When can you set fireworks off?

The law states that you must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on:

• Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight
• New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am

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