Christmas has passed, the between days are nearly over and New Years Eve is finally here.
We plan for what seems like a whole year to prepare for the Christmas period, and now the final festivity is about to unravel. And despite the stress and busy preparation, you’ve made it through – congrats!
Across the UK and the world, people have different customs and ways they like to welcome in the new year. Some people like to go out to bars and clubs, some people stay at home with family and some people host parties themselves.
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And one common theme across the world on New Year’s Eve is fireworks at midnight to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next.
If you are hosting a New Year’s Eve party and planning a firework display, here are the legal bits you need to know to avoid being hit with a whopping fine in the new year.
You can be fined an unlimited amount and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an on-the-spot fine of £90.
You can get an on-the-spot fine of £90 for using fireworks illegally -Credit:Copyright Unknown
Laws around fireworks exist to protect people from harm and to avoid distress and nuisance caused to anyone. Throughout the year, you must not set off fireworks between 11 pm and 7 am.
But on New Year’s Eve, the cut-off point is extended by two hours so fireworks are allowed until 1 am. As well as 31 December, there are other exceptions including Bonfire Night, where fireworks are allowed until 12 pm as well as Chinese New Year and Diwali when they are permitted until 1 am.
There are also rules on when you can buy fireworks and you must be over 18 to purchase them. The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places.
When can I legally set fireworks off on New Year’s Eve?
You can let fireworks go until 1 am on New Year’s Eve, as long as it is not in the street or a public place.
When can you buy fireworks?
You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates:
At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops.