Fireworks Guide

Welcome to the Galactic Fireworks complete guide — everything you need to know about buying, storing, and enjoying fireworks safely and legally in the UK. We've been a family-run fireworks specialist since 1989, spanning three generations, and this page brings together our decades of hands-on experience into one easy-to-use resource.

🔒 Firework Safety

Since 1989, with over three decades in the fireworks trade, we know that safety underpins everything. Fireworks are designed to be enjoyed — but they demand respect. Follow these guidelines and you'll have a brilliant, injury-free display.

The Golden Rules

Setting Up Your Display Area

A safe display starts long before you strike the portfire. Proper preparation is non-negotiable.

• Choose a large enough space — your garden or private land needs to accommodate the safety distances for every firework you're using.
• Point fireworks away from buildings — aim away from houses, sheds, fences, and overhanging trees.
• Clear the firing area — remove dry leaves, brush, and anything flammable from where you'll set fireworks off.
• Set up a spectator zone — mark a clear boundary behind the safety distance line. Consider rope barriers for bigger displays.
• Prepare for emergencies — buckets of water, a garden hose, first aid kit, and a charged phone should all be within reach.
• Use a torch — you'll be setting up and lighting in the dark, so have a good torch to read labels and check fuses.
• Place fireworks on firm, flat ground — cakes and fountains need a stable, level surface. Dig rockets into soft ground or use a proper launch tube.

Sparkler Safety

• Children under 5 should never hold sparklers.
• Always wear gloves — even adults.
• Hold sparklers at arm's length, away from the body and face.
• Light one at a time — never bundle them together.
• No running with sparklers. Walk, don't dash.
• Avoid loose or flowing clothing — scarves, baggy sleeves, and synthetic fabrics are a risk.
• Drop spent sparklers straight into a bucket of water — they stay dangerously hot for minutes after going out.
• An adult should always supervise sparkler use.

First Aid for Burns

If someone is burned during a display, stay calm and follow these steps:

1. Cool the burn immediately — run cool (not ice-cold) water over it for at least 10 minutes.
2. Don't pull clothing away — if fabric is stuck to the burn, cut around it. Never tug.
3. Cover loosely — cling film works well as a clean, non-fluffy covering.
4. Don't apply creams, butter, or ice — these can make things worse.
5. Seek medical help — any burn larger than a 50p coin, burns on the face, hands, or joints, or any burn on a child should be seen at A&E.

Children and Fireworks

• Children must never handle, light, or approach fireworks.
• Keep little ones well behind the safety distance line at all times.
• Don't let children pick up spent fireworks — they can still be hot or contain live material.
• Store all fireworks out of children's reach before your event.
• Sparklers are only suitable for children aged 5 and over, with gloves and adult supervision.

Firework Misuse — Never Aim at People

Fireworks are designed to launch into the air and detonate at height. Aiming one at a person — even a small one — risks severe burns, eye injuries, hearing damage, and worse. The explosive force that creates those beautiful effects in the sky can cause catastrophic harm at close range.

This applies to every type of firework, including Roman candles and rockets. No exceptions, no "just a laugh." If you witness firework misuse, report it to the police.

Quick Safety Checklist

⚖️ UK Firework Law & Regulations

Fireworks are legal in the UK, but there are clear rules about who can buy them, when you can use them, and where. Here's what you need to know to stay on the right side of the law.

Legal Age

You must be 18 or over to buy category F2 and F3 fireworks. Category F1 (indoor fireworks and party poppers) can be sold to anyone aged 16 and over. It's also illegal for anyone under 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.

Curfew Times

You don't need a special occasion to set off fireworks — any night of the year is fine, as long as you respect the curfew.

Categories Explained (F1–F4)

Firework categories relate to safety distances from the audience:

Galactic Fireworks sells F1, F2, and F3 fireworks. F4 fireworks are not available to the general public.

Do You Need a Licence?

No. Members of the public do not need any licence or permit to buy or use F1, F2, or F3 fireworks. You simply need to be 18 or over (16+ for F1). Both 1.4G and 1.3G classified fireworks are available to the public without a licence.

Retailers, however, must hold a licence from their local authority and pass rigorous inspections — there are no loopholes or unregulated sellers in the legitimate trade.

Where Can You Set Off Fireworks?

• Your own garden or private land — perfectly legal.
• Someone else's private land — with their permission, absolutely fine.
• Public places — illegal. It is an offence to throw or set off fireworks in any public place, including streets, parks, and car parks.

For a deeper look at the rules around garden displays, read our guide: Can You Set Off Fireworks in Your Back Garden?

Penalties for Breaking the Law

📦 Storage & Disposal

Whether you've got fireworks waiting for your display or spent casings to clear up afterwards, handling them properly matters. Here's our expert advice on storing and disposing of fireworks safely.

Where to Store Fireworks at Home

If you've bought fireworks ahead of your display, proper storage keeps everyone safe.

• Cool and dry — a cupboard, wardrobe, or spare room away from radiators, boilers, and direct sunlight.
• Out of reach of children and pets — ideally in a locked cupboard or high shelf.
• Away from heat sources and flammable materials — not near a cooker, fireplace, or fuel cans.
• Keep them in original packaging — don't unwrap fireworks until you're ready to use them.
• Keep them dry — moisture and humidity can cause misfires. If your home is damp, consider a plastic storage container with a lid, or use moisture-absorbing products in the storage area.
• Check for damage before use — inspect packaging and casings. Don't use any firework that looks damaged, dented, or damp.

How to Dispose of Used Fireworks

After your display, you'll have spent firework casings to deal with. Here's the safe way:

1. Leave spent fireworks where they are for at least 30 minutes after the display ends.
2. Soak them thoroughly in a bucket of water for at least 24 hours.
3. Once fully soaked, place them in a plastic bag.
4. Dispose of the bag in your household waste — fireworks cannot be recycled.

How to Dispose of Unused Fireworks

Got leftover fireworks you don't plan to use? You have a few options:

• Return them to the retailer — most reputable firework retailers (including us) will accept unused fireworks back and dispose of them properly.
• Keep them for next time — stored correctly in cool, dry conditions, fireworks will last perfectly well for future events.
• Soak and bin — if you must dispose of them at home, submerge them in water for at least 48 hours, then bag them up and put them in your household waste.

Never put unused fireworks straight in the bin or recycling. Never attempt to dismantle them. Cardboard outer packaging can be recycled separately once any fireworks have been removed.

What to Do with a Firework That Didn't Go Off

1. Wait at least 30 minutes — keep everyone well away.
2. Do not attempt to relight it — ever.
3. Approach carefully and place it in a bucket of water.
4. Leave it submerged for at least 24 hours.
5. Once fully soaked, bag it up and dispose of it in household waste.

If you're unsure or uncomfortable handling a dud, contact your local fire service for advice.

🎆 Firework Types Explained

Walk into a fireworks shop and you'll see dozens of terms on the packaging — F2, F3, 1.3G, 1.4G, cakes, barrages, mines, compounds. Here's what they all actually mean.

Categories (F1–F4) — Safety Distance

The category tells you how far away the audience needs to stand. It's the safety classification printed on every firework:

• F1 — Indoor fireworks. Minimal hazard. 1-metre safety distance.
• F2 — Garden fireworks. 8-metre safety distance. Perfect for back garden displays.
• F3 — Display fireworks. 25-metre safety distance. Bigger effects, need more space.
• F4 — Professional use only. Not sold to the public.

Classifications (1.3G & 1.4G) — Power & Transport

The classification relates to storage and transport risk — it's a completely different system from the category:

• 1.4G — Lower explosive risk. The majority of consumer fireworks fall into this classification.
• 1.3G — Moderate explosive hazard. Louder, more powerful, bigger bursts. Especially noticeable with rockets — 1.3G rockets deliver proper big aerial breaks compared to their 1.4G counterparts.

Both 1.4G and 1.3G fireworks are fully legal and available to the public. No licence needed for either. You just need to be 18+.

Category vs Classification — They're Different!

For a detailed comparison, read our guide: 1.3G vs 1.4G Fireworks — What's the Difference?

Types of Fireworks

Cakes (Barrages) — The backbone of most displays. A single unit containing multiple tubes that fire a sequence of shots one after another. Light one fuse, stand back, and enjoy a full sequence of aerial effects. Most cakes last around 30–40 seconds. Browse our cakes & barrages →

Rockets — The classic. Launch from a tube or soft ground, soar upwards, and burst at height. 1.3G rockets produce significantly bigger and louder bursts than 1.4G. Browse our rockets →

Fountains — Ground-level fireworks that produce showers of sparks and coloured effects. Brilliant for smaller gardens or as part of a larger display. Browse our fountains →

Roman Candles — Tall tubes that fire individual shots upward at intervals. Great for creating a rhythmic, pulsing effect. Browse our Roman candles →

Catherine Wheels — Pinned to a post or fence, these spin and throw out sparks in a circular pattern. A real crowd-pleaser for garden displays.

Mines — A single, dramatic burst fired from a tube at ground level. Mines throw a fan of stars and effects upward in one powerful shot. Brilliant for punctuating a display. Browse our mines →

Sparklers — Handheld wire coated in a slow-burning composition. Popular with children (aged 5+, with gloves and supervision). Remember — they burn at over 1,500°C.

Compounds (Multi-Phase Cakes) — Premium units that combine multiple sequences in one firework, creating a varied display from a single piece. Often the centrepiece of a show.

Selection Boxes — A boxed assortment of different firework types — ideal if you want variety without choosing individual pieces. Great for garden parties and smaller celebrations. Browse our selection boxes →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Browse Our Full Range →