Bonfires & firework displays & Campfires

Bonfires and firework displays

If you are organising an event for more than 250 people, you must contact your church insurer in advance.

Poorly planned and executed firework displays have resulted in serious injury in the past. If there is any doubt as to the safety of an event then you must, consider seeking professional assistance or not run the event.

Remember that you may be personally liable in civil or criminal law if there is an accident.

If you are organising a public fireworks display please consider the guidance below.

Before the event

Consider the size of the display that you intend to put on. Is the site big enough?
Ensure that you have a management plan for if something goes wrong.
Firefighting equipment should be available in the event that something goes wrong.
Think about who will operate the display. Remember that certain types of firework may only be used by professional firework display operators. In untrained hands these fireworks can be lethal.
If the display is to be provided by a professional firework display operator, make sure that you are clear on everyone's responsibility, especially in the event of an emergency.
Consider whether the site is suitable and large enough for your display, including a bonfire if you are having one. Is there space for the fireworks to land well away from spectators? Remember to check in daylight for overhead power lines and other obstructions. What is the direction of the prevailing wind? What would happen if it changed?
Plan and mark out the areas for spectators, firing fireworks (and a safety zone around it) as well as in areas where the fireworks will fall.

Think about how people will get into and out of the site. Keep pedestrian and vehicle routes apart if possible.
Mark exit routes clearly and ensure they are well lit. Ensure emergency vehicles can get access to the site.
Appoint enough stewards or marshals. Make sure they understand what they are to do on the night and what they should do in the event of an emergency.
Signpost the first aid facilities.
Think about what you would do if things go wrong. Make sure there is someone who will be responsible for calling the emergency services.
Contact the emergency services and local authority. If your site is near an airport you may need to contact them.
Ensure you have a suitable place to store the fireworks. Your fireworks supplier or local authority should be able to advise.
If you plan on selling alcohol the bar should be well away from the display site and any appropriate licenses should be in place to allow for the consumption of alcohol on the premises.

On the day of the event

Recheck the site, weather conditions and wind direction.
Don’t let anyone into the zone where the fireworks will fall and anyone other than the display operator or firing team into the firing zone or the safety zone around it.
Discourage spectators from bringing alcohol onto the site.
Don’t let spectators bring their own fireworks onto the site.
Never attempt to relight fireworks. Keep well clear of fireworks that have failed to go off.
Firefighting equipment should be available in the event that something goes wrong.

If you have a bonfire at the display:

Check the structure is sound and does not have small children or animals inside it before lighting it.
never use petrol or paraffin to light the fire.
Have only one person responsible for lighting the fire. That person and any assistants should wear suitable clothing such as a substantial outer garment made of wool or other low-flammable material.
Make sure that the person lighting the fire and any assistants know what to do in the event of a burn injury or clothing catching fire.

Bonfires and firework displays

Before the event

If you are organising a public fireworks display please consider the guidance below:

Related pages

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