Guy Fawkes

One of the hot topics at the beginning of November is Guy Fawkes night. This event commemorates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot which was a plan to blow up the English Houses of Parliament in 1605. It’s traditionally celebrated with fireworks on November 5.

There are some new rules around buying and selling fireworks. The new rules include:

- Retailers may only display fireworks for retail sale or sell them for four days prior to and including Guy Fawkes Day; this is the period beginning 2 November and ending at the close of 5 November.

- You may only buy fireworks if you are aged 18 and over.

- Sparklers can now be sold only in retail fireworks packages together with other fireworks. They must not be sold separately. No more than 50 sparklers can be sold in any single retail package.

If you’re going to have fireworks at home then follow these safety tips from the Pyro Company website

- Read instructions on the fireworks before using them
- Use a torch to read the instructions
- Light fireworks in a wide open area away from anything that could catch fire
- Don’t give to small children to light
- Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy
- Keep pets inside
- Don’t try to relight dud fireworks
- Keep fireworks away from open flame (in closed box)
- Burns need water for 10 minutes