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ProfessionalFirework Displays, Hampshire, Surrey, UK

Firework Safety

Professionally Fired Firework Display - Safety Information

We take safety extremely seriously at Firebird Entertainments. Our teams have fired displays from virtually every kind of location and are proud of our excellent safety record. Your site will be visited in daylight and all aspects of safety will be discussed with you. A risk assessment will then be prepared and forwarded to you together with any recommendations. Our company safety policy and insurance details are available for your inspection. As a guide, please note that spectators should be at least 50 metres from the nearest firework, and stand with their backs to the wind so that smoke and fallout blows away from the crowd. The display may need to be re-sited on the day depending on the wind direction.

Our site survey will assess the following:

• Is there adequate room for the display? The spectator viewing area needs to be at least 50 meters from the firework firing area
• Is the firing area secure from access by the public
• Is the display area free from any overhanging trees and powerlines
• Will there be adequate provision of crowd control for the firework display?
• Is there a suitable power supply for any additional lights/music for your display?

Firing your own Firework Display - Safety Information

Category 3 (Home Display Fireworks) are usually sold as either 'Garden Fireworks' or 'Display Fireworks'.

Fireworks marked as 'Garden Fireworks' are intended for small displays and require a minimum spectator distance of 5 meters. These are suitable for use in small to medium gardens.

Fireworks marked as 'Display Fireworks' are intended for larger displays and require a minimum spectator distance of 25 meters.

Bear this in mind when buying fireworks and ensure that you buy fireworks suitable for the display space that you have. Do not be tempted to buy larger display fireworks if you intend to use them in a small to medium sized garden. There is a serious risk of injury to spectators from glowing or burning falling debris. If your display contains items marked as both 'Garden Fireworks' and 'Display Fireworks' then you must ensure that the spectators can stand at least 25 meters from the fireworks.

Only buy fireworks that are marked with 'Complies with BS7114 Part 2 1988' or 'Contents Comply with BS7114 Part 2 1998'. Do not buy illegal fireworks, and only buy fireworks from reputable retailers.

If you buy fireworks in advance ensure that they are stored safely well out of reach of children and away from any naked flames.

Before firing a display at home ensure that you have thoroughly read and understood all the firework instructions. Make sure that you have a first aid kit, sufficient numbers of responsible adults to look after children and animals, a bucket of water and suitable protective clothing. Keep trousers outside boots or wellingtons to ensure that sparks and hot effects from fireworks don't fall inside them.

Warn your neighbors that you intend to fire a display so they can ensure that pets and other animals which may be affected can be kept inside.

Try not to fire a display late at night. New Year's Eve is an obvious exception.

Always light the fireworks using the wick or portfire supplied. Never light a firework directly using matches or a lighter. Do not smoke whilst lighting or handling fireworks. Do not drink alcohol whilst you are in charge of firing fireworks as it can impair your judgment and lead to serious accidents.

NEVER allow children to light fireworks or to help with lighting fireworks.

NEVER go back to a firework that has been lit but hasn't gone off.

Make sure that rocket tubes are secure and angled away from spectators, that they are free to rise from their tubes and that there are no overhanging branches or power cables overhead.

Make sure that wheels are securely fixed and can spin freely before you light them.

Make sure that roman candles, cakes, multishot barrages and fountains cannot tip over before you light them.

Make sure that children are supervised when lighting and burning sparklers. It is advisable to wear gloves whilst holding lit sparklers. Never give sparklers to children under 5.

After the display go round and pick up all spent cases. Wear gloves when you do this as they may still be hot or glowing. Never burn spent fireworks as they may contain unspent explosives. Drop used fireworks into a bucket of water and dispose of them carefully. Never put them onto the bonfire.

Please Note: The above advice is only a guide. The safety of a home fired display is your responsibility and we can accept no liability. We strongly advise that you also read the information provided by the DTI (BERR) http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/