As locals, who have grown up and lived in South London all our lives, We are really saddened to hear that all of our best-loved local organised fireworks displays have quite rightly been cancelled due to COVID-19.
We also hear that it’s the same for the New Year. The Mayor of London, speaking on LBC Radio on Friday (18 September), confirmed that the usual 100,000 tickets for the central London display would not be offered to members of the public, owing to fears of spreading COVID-19
So what to do?
Well, you could organise your own family bubble display from the safety of your back garden or have sparklers on your balcony. You could even rope in the neighbours and each take a turn at letting off fireworks from their own gardens creating a community display that’s completely socially distanced!
And if you need food inspiration check out our Best Winter BBQ Guide!
Here are a few more tips and facts to help you on your way!
When can you buy fireworks?
You can only buy fireworks and sparklers from registered sellers for private use on selected dates in the year:
- Between 15th October and 10th November
- Between 26th to 31st of December
- Three days before Diwali
- Three days before the Chinese New Year
You can buy fireworks outside these dates, but only from shops with a special licence. Find your nearest Fireworks Retailers here
For the majority of the year, it is illegal to set off fireworks (including sparklers) between 11 pm and 7 am.
However, for Bonfire Night the curfew is extended to midnight and for New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year the cut off is 1 am.
What fireworks can you buy?
Adults can let off category 2 and 3 fireworks. These are available to the general public and can be found with those retailers listed above. They will normally have ‘Category F2’ or ‘Category F3’ labels on the box.
Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals and are banned for sale to the public.
What about the Fireworks Code?
- Keep fireworks in a closed box
- Follow the instructions on each firework
- Light all fireworks at arm’s length
- Stand well back
- Never go back to a lit firework
- Never put fireworks in your pocket
- Never throw fireworks
- Keep Pets indoor
- Always supervise children with sparklers.
- Hold a sparkler at arm’s length, but not near anyone else
- Sparklers are not for the under 5s. They will be labelled as such and it is your responsibility.
- Have a container of water handy, big enough for spent sparklers.
- Dump the sparkler in it as soon as it goes out.