With Halloween fast approaching, the PSNI in Derry are reminding members of the public they need a licence to purchase fireworks (other than indoor or sparklers).
Police have warned that possessing fireworks without a licence is illegal and offences carry a maximum fine of £5,000 or six months imprisonment.
If you want to buy, possess and use fireworks (except indoor fireworks and sparklers), in Northern Ireland you must have a valid fireworks licence.
Licences for a garden fireworks display cost a minimum of £30.
If you are thinking of using fireworks, you should buy fireworks marked BS 7114 or with a CE mark – this shows that the firework meets British or European safety standards which all fireworks should meet (a reputable shop will know this)
You must not possess, buy or use fireworks (except indoor fireworks and sparklers) unless you have a fireworks licence issued by the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland and a licence must be shown to the retailer when purchasing fireworks.
Also the fireworks packaging must be written in English.
Fireworks must not be thrown or let off in a street or public place (other than a properly licensed public display).
Category 1 (indoor) fireworks must not be sold to children under 16 years of age.
Category 2 (garden) and Category 3 (display) fireworks must not be sold to persons under 18 years of age.
It is illegal for fireworks to be sold from premises not licensed/registered by the Department of Justice (retailers are required to display their certificates of registration at the point of sale).
It is also illegal to sell fireworks at markets and car boot sales, and from vans,.
You should never buy or use fireworks which do not have the British Standard “BS7114” or its European equivalent printed on the box.
You must not buy or use Category 4 (professional use only) fireworks.
The following types of fireworks are illegal:
• aerial wheels
• bangers
• double bangers
• flash bangers
• batteries and combinations containing bangers, double bangers or flash bangers
• jumping crackers
• jumping ground spinners
• spinners
• mini rockets and shot tubes whose principal effect is a bang or whose internal diameter is greater than 30 millimetres.
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