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

London’s famous firework display is cancelled, but you may want to celebrate New Year’s with an at-home display (Picture: Getty Images)

Parties and get-togethers for New Year’s Eve might look a little bit different than we had hoped.

Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have post-Christmas Covid-19 restrictions in place, while those living in England have been advised to celebrate the dawn of 2022 ‘cautiously’.

If you’re sticking to an at-home New Year’s, setting off a few glittering fireworks from your back garden seems like a good way to add some sparkle to the celebrations.

Though New Year is an annual celebration that many enjoy, it’s important to be aware that there are enforceable UK laws regarding fireworks.

Improper use of fireworks – including who can buy them and when you can set them off – can come with a hefty fine of £5,000, or even six months of prison time.

This New Year’s Eve, remember that there are ways you can celebrate safely and properly.

Here’s what you need to know.

Who can buy fireworks in the UK?

Welcome 2022 with a bang (Picture: Getty)

For the everyday customer, buying fireworks in the UK requires splitting fireworks into different categories.

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.

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.

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

When can you buy fireworks for private use?

When it comes to fireworks, you’ll need to follow the letter of the law (Picture: Getty)

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

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

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

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

When can you set fireworks off in the UK?

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

MORE : Are any New Year’s Eve fireworks displays happening this year?

MORE : Plans for New Year in London revealed after fireworks cancelled again

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