Remember, remember the 5th of November – especially when it comes to restrictions and controls on the sale of explosive materials.

With new fireworks regulation coming into force this year, Under Age Sales is reminding
retailers of the conditions under which they can sell restricted items.

The new regulations include record-keeping, with retailers forced to keep a record of where they sourced product from for 10 years. New categories of fireworks have been introduced too – the old Garden Fireworks and Display Fireworks have been replaced by categories deemed as F2 and F3. Indoor fireworks and other novelty items fall into the F1 category and these can only be sold to people over the age of 16.

Christmas crackers can only be sold to people over the age of 12, while fireworks and sparklers can only be sold to customers over 18 years of age. It is illegal for anyone under that age to possess fireworks – and if caught the authorities are certain to ask where they were purchased from.

Retailers must be registered and fireworks can only be sold between October 15 and November 10, unless they have a year-round licence. New signage
must also be displayed in stores, reflecting the F2 and F3 categories and age restrictions.