Noise from Fireworks

Fireworks can add excitement to special occasions, however, they are explosives and the noise can frighten and disturb (in particular, the elderly, children and animals) and cause annoyance if their use is prolonged.

Firework Regulations

The Fireworks Regulations 2004:

• prohibit the supply of fireworks louder than 120 decibels
  
  
• prohibit persons from using adult fireworks during night hours (namely between 11.00 pm and 7.00 am) but exceptions allow such use until 1.00 am on the nights of the Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year's Eve and until midnight on 5th November. There is also an exception in the case of local authority employees for the purposes of local authority fireworks displays, national public celebrations or national commemorative events.
  
  
• prohibit the sale of fireworks to the public from unlicensed traders in England, Wales and Scotland except for Chinese New Year and the preceding 3 days, Diwali and the preceding three days, 15 October - 10 November (Bonfire Night Celebrations) and 26 -31 December (for New Year celebrations).
  
  
• state that throwing or setting off fireworks in the street is an offence under the Explosives Act 1875. This is enforced by the police, with a fixed penalty notice of £80. From 11 October 2004 police can enforce an £80 fixed penalty for anyone under 18 possessing a firework in a public place and for anyone breaching the 11.00 pm curfew.