Fireworks

Fireworks

Bonfire Night Safety

Fireworks Night is a fun time for families and communities, but it’s important to stay safe and follow the law.

Fireworks and the Law

To keep everyone safe, please remember:

You must be 18 or older to buy or carry fireworks

No person under the age of 18 years shall possess an ‘adult firework’ in a public place; An adult firework is any firework except a cap, cracker, snap, novelty match, party popper, serpent, sparkler, throw down. “public place” any place to which the public have access at the material time.

It’s illegal to set off fireworks or sparklers in the street or other public places

You can only set off fireworks between 7am and 11pm, except:

Bonfire Night (5 November): until midnight
New Year’s Eve, Diwali, and Chinese New Year: until 1am

Only professionals with a licence can use display fireworks (Category 4)

If you break these rules, you could face:

a fine of up to £90 on the spot

an unlimited fine

up to six months in prison

Safety tips

always follow the Firework Code

keep fireworks away from people, pets, and buildings

never give sparklers to children under 5—they burn very hot

always supervise children around fireworks

Buying fireworks

You can only buy fireworks from registered sellers during:

15 October to 10 November

26 to 31 December

three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year

Outside of these dates, you must buy from a licensed shop.

Need help or want to report something?

call 999 in an emergency.

for non-urgent issues, report online at www.kent.police.uk

you can also report fireworks causing unwanted noise or creating a disturbance on our website

Let’s celebrate safely and respectfully—so everyone can enjoy Fireworks Night.

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Holly Tout
(Kent Police, Police Constable, Medway Neighbourhood Policing Team)