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Bonfire Night safety: a guide to fireworks and sparklers

Bonfire Night is wonderful, but fireworks and sparklers cause serious injuries every year, so safety matters. This guide covers the key precautions. It's general guidance — always follow the manufacturer's instructions and official UK safety advice (from the fire service and GOV.UK), and consider a professional public display, which is often the safest option.

Consider a public display first

The single safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend an organised public display rather than setting them off yourself — these are run by professionals, are spectacular, and remove the risks of a home display entirely. They're also often better value and more impressive than a back-garden show. So before planning your own, it's well worth considering whether a local organised display would suit your family better, particularly if you have young children or limited outdoor space. If you do hold your own, treat it seriously: fireworks are explosives, and the precautions below are essential, not optional. Our free firework safety checklist and bonfire safety sheet help you cover the bases.

Firework and sparkler safety

If you're setting off fireworks at home, follow the firework safety basics: buy fireworks marked CE/UKCA from a reputable seller, store them in a closed box and follow the instructions, light them at arm's length using a taper, never go back to a lit firework, keep a bucket of water and a hose nearby, light fireworks one at a time and direct them away from people and buildings, and keep spectators at a safe distance. Never give fireworks to children, never throw them, and don't drink alcohol if you're the one in charge of letting them off. Bear in mind there are laws around fireworks too (including curfews and age restrictions — it's illegal to sell them to under-18s or for under-18s to possess them in public). Sparklers deserve special care because they burn fiercely hot and cause many injuries: supervise children closely, never give them to under-5s, wear gloves, hold them at arm's length away from faces and others, light one at a time, and — crucially — drop used sparklers (which stay hot long after) straight into a bucket of water. Our free sparkler safety and sparkler fun & safety sheets cover this.

Bonfires, pets and the cold

If you're having a bonfire, build it well away from buildings, fences, trees and the fireworks area, never use petrol or paraffin to light it, check carefully that no animals (like hedgehogs) have crept inside before lighting, keep everyone back, and have water to hand to put it out fully afterwards — never leave it unattended. Spare a thought for animals: Bonfire Night is frightening and genuinely distressing for many pets and wildlife, so keep pets indoors with curtains drawn and some background noise, make sure they're microchipped in case they bolt, and check on outdoor animals — our advice on the broader topic links from our pet pages. Finally, the practical comfort stuff: it's cold and dark, so wrap up in warm layers, wear sensible footwear, bring a torch, keep children close and supervised at all times, and have warming food and hot drinks to enjoy. With sensible precautions in place, Bonfire Night is brilliant — but the fireworks and fire are not to be taken lightly. When in any doubt, choose the organised display. Always follow official firework and fire safety guidance, and in an emergency call 999.

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Frequently asked questions

Are home fireworks safe, or should I go to a display?
An organised public fireworks display is generally the safest way to enjoy fireworks, and for many families it's the best choice — the fireworks are set off by trained professionals at a safe distance, the displays are spectacular, and you avoid all the risks (and the cost and faff) of running your own. So it's well worth considering a local organised display first, especially if you have young children, limited space, or any doubts about handling fireworks. That said, home fireworks can be enjoyed reasonably safely if you take the precautions seriously and follow the rules: buy fireworks from a reputable seller that meet safety standards, read and follow the instructions, light them at arm's length with a taper and never return to a lit one, keep spectators well back, have water ready, direct fireworks away from people and property, never give them to children, and don't drink alcohol if you're in charge of lighting them. There are also legal requirements around fireworks (age restrictions, permitted times) to be aware of. The honest answer is that fireworks are explosives and carry real risk, so they demand respect and careful handling — if you're not confident you can manage a home display safely, or you'd simply rather relax, an organised display is the safer and often better option. Whatever you choose, follow official UK firework safety guidance, and never take shortcuts with safety.
How do I keep my pets safe on Bonfire Night?
Bonfire Night is genuinely frightening and stressful for many animals — the loud bangs and flashes can cause real distress — so it's important to plan ahead to keep pets safe and as calm as possible. The key steps: keep pets indoors during fireworks (bring outdoor pets in, and walk dogs earlier in the day before any fireworks start), close windows, curtains and blinds to muffle the noise and hide the flashes, and provide some background noise like the TV or radio to help mask the bangs. Create a safe, cosy space where your pet can hide if they want to, and stay calm yourself, as pets pick up on your mood — comfort them normally but try not to make a huge fuss, which can reinforce that something's wrong. Make sure pets are microchipped and wearing ID, because frightened animals can bolt and escape, and more pets go missing around fireworks season than almost any other time. For pets known to be very anxious, it's worth speaking to your vet in advance, as they can advise on options to help. Don't forget smaller pets and outdoor animals (rabbits, guinea pigs) — bring hutches into a shed or quiet indoor space if you can, or cover them. And spare a thought for wildlife: always check bonfires thoroughly for hedgehogs and other animals before lighting, as bonfire piles make tempting nests. A bit of preparation makes a big difference to a frightened animal. Your vet or animal charities like the RSPCA and Blue Cross have detailed advice if you need it.