We are writing to provide you with some information about firework use during the upcoming firework season.
Keeping safe
We want you to stay safe while enjoying fireworks. If you are having your own fireworks display, please have a look at the London Fire Brigades guidelines www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/fireworks/.
Here are a few tips on keeping yourself and your neighbours safe:
· Buy your fireworks from a licenced retailer, check they have a CE safety mark
· Don’t drink alcohol if you’re using fireworks
· Supervise children around fireworks
· Be mindful of people or pets who may be scared of fireworks
· Don't set off fireworks after 11pm
· Keep a bucket of water close by.
We also recognise that animals can find fireworks scary. There are lots of simple things you can do to help your pet deal with fireworks. By preparing in advance before fireworks start, your pet will be better able to cope with the noises. If you would like advice on how to keep your pets safe visit www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fireworks.
The law around firework use
It is an offence to throw or set off any firework (including sparklers and category 1 fireworks) in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare, or public space. It is also an offence for any minor to be in possession of fireworks. Fireworks can be used in private gardens but not in any greenspaces, estates, or other public space.
There is a curfew on fireworks use: regulation 7 of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 makes it an offence for any person to use ‘adult fireworks’ between the hours of 11pm and 7am – except for ‘permitted’ fireworks nights – this is enforced by the police. These exceptions, where the curfew start time is later, are as follows:
· Halloween-31 October 2025
· Bonfire Night - 5 November 2025 – 12 midnight
· Diwali – 20 October 2025 – 1am
· New Year’s Eve – 31 December 2025 – 1am
· Chinese New Year – 17 February 2026 – 1am
Trading Standards are responsible for issuing businesses with a licence to store fireworks (explosives) and enforcing the over 18 age restriction on sales. If you have any concerns about the misuse of fireworks or the illegal sale of fireworks visit www.islington.gov.uk/business/trading-standards/fireworks.
A partnership approach to tackling firework use
Islington Council are working with community safety colleagues to ensure a swift and effective response to antisocial behaviour and the misuse of fireworks. The Metropolitan Police Service and Parkguard will increase their patrols to ensure a swift response to crime and ASB.
Report firework misuse to the police
· Phone 999 in an emergency. An emergency could be someone aiming fireworks towards people or vehicles. · Call 101 or report online via www.met.police.uk in a non-urgent situation. This could be a person under the age of 18 setting off fireworks, with no imminent risk to life or danger present.
· Call 101 if you have information about an illegal firework event.
Report noise from fireworks to Islington Council
· If you are disturbed by noise from fireworks, other than organised events, report online at www.islington.gov.uk/reportasb or call 020 7527 7272.
· If you are being disturbed by noise from fireworks, please note that this is allowed in private gardens up to 11pm (apart from the exemptions on Diwali, Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve and Chinese New Year). If the noise is occurring after this time, is excessively loud or going on for a long period then please report online and we will investigate.
