Organisers of firework displays are
being urged not to cut back on costs at the expense of safety.
Up to 1,000 people are injured every year by fireworks, and
the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is concerned that there
may be more incidents if organisers ignore safety procedures
to reduce costs.
Firework displays should be enjoyable and spectacular occasions,
but they obviously need some responsible planning. The HSE provides
simple and clear advice to help displays go off both safely.
If you’re holding a local firework display in your community,
you won’t need to plan it in the same level of detail as a major
display. But you still need to plan it responsibly, without cutting
corners over safety. That means thinking about who will light the
display, whether the site is large enough and free from overhead
obstructions, and what you’d do if something went wrong. It may be
common sense, but accidents often happen if people don’t think
enough in advance about the risks.
HSE firework display safety tips
The HSE has issued five safety tips for the day of a fireworks
display:
- Recheck the site, weather conditions and wind
direction.
- Don't let the public into the firing zone or the area
where the fireworks will fall.
- Discourage spectators from bringing alcohol onto the
site.
- Don't let spectators bring their own fireworks onto the
site.
- Never attempt to relight fireworks that have failed to
go off.
Fireworks in Categories 1 - 3 can be used for most organised
displays, but Category 4 fireworks should only be used by
professional firework display operators.
For displays using Category 4 fireworks, areas should be marked
to keep spectators a safe distance back, clear routes should be
provided onto and off the site, and a suitable number of trained
stewards should be on duty at the event.
The HSE also advises organisers to consider obtaining public
liability insurance, although it is not required by law.
Further information on firework safety
More information on firework safety is available on
the HSE website and you can download two guidance booklets by
following the links below:
Follow this link for help with downloading and opening PDF
files.