Fireworks - regulations and safety advice

Fireworks can provide great entertainment, but they can also pose a risk to safety, cause annoyance and disturb people and animals.

To tackle these issues, there are legal controls under Firework Regulations 2004. One control, enforced by the Police, is to prohibit the use of "adult fireworks" between 11pm and 7am throughout the year.

Firework festivals

There are extensions to the 11pm-7am restriction for these festivals:

• Until midnight on the night of 5 November (Guy Fawkes Night)
• Until 1am on New Year's Eve night
• Until 1am on the night of Chinese New Year
• Until 1am on the night of Diwali

In some circumstances, the Council can take action against people causing a nuisance outside these hours under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for Noise Nuisance.

Useful links

• .Gov - a helpful website on the subject of fireworks
• Health and Safety Executive - organising fireworks displays - Guidance on Firework displays
• Working together on firework displays: 
• Giving your own firework display
•  Halloween guidance from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service
• RoSPA - Follow the Fireworks Code

For local queries about firework licensing and the sale and use of fireworks you should contact Hampshire County Council.