Fireworks Safety Warnings as Season Approaches

Fireworks season is coming and the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) covering West Berkshire, Wokingham and Bracknell is stepping up warnings and trading standards checks. It has published its proposed plan for the next three years.

It is generally illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under 18, though minimum ages vary by category.

"Residents are advised to purchase fireworks from reputable retailers and steer clear from buying fireworks from markets, car boots or street sellers," it says. "Fireworks bought from these sources could be defective and may not meet UK safety requirements."

Fireworks may only be sold by retailers from October 15 - November 10, December 26 - 31 and for three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year.

Specialist retailers selling adult fireworks outside those periods need a separate licence.

In England and Wales it is a criminal offence to set off adult fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on permitted nights. Later use is allowed until midnight on November 5 and until 1am on New Years Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Enforcement of time limits is mainly a police responsibility and can lead to prosecution.

The PPP says it has no legal powers to protect animals from firework noise; its enforceable powers focus on public safety, product safety and explosives licensing. It can signpost rules, run awareness campaigns and advise residents.

In November 2025 a total of 45 premises were inspected (20 in West Berkshire, 13 in Bracknell Forest and 12 in Wokingham) to check the quantity of fireworks and explosives stored. Trading Standards also checked the category on licences and that storage was safe and correct.

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter