Top tips for firework displays
09/05/2024
Every year, families and communities gather to celebrate their events with exciting firework displays. To make sure your event is both fun and safe, planning and management are key. If poorly planned, these events can lead to injuries and property damage. In this article, we talk about the steps your charity or not-for-profit organisation should take to hold a safe and successful firework display, including what to look for when choosing a professional firework display operator. You can also download Our guide on how to make your firework display runs safely and smoothly.
Planning your event
Before to the event, it is important that your planning includes the following:
Professional Operators
Always hire a professional operator for your firework displays and check they have public liability insurance in place.
Safety Roles
Create an event committee. Include people who have experience in organising events before. Assign someone who’ll be responsible for the whole safety of the event and make it clear what everyone’s roles are so there is no confusion.
Choosing your Fireworks
Work with your chosen professional fireworks operator to decide the type of fireworks that will be used for your display.
Trusted Suppliers
Make sure your professional operator buys fireworks from trusted suppliers. Look for the UKCA safety mark and full safety instructions.
Risk Assessment
Complete a risk assessment to show any potential hazards and what control measures to put in place. Read the Blue Firework Guide which is a useful guide for displays managed by third-party operators.
Choosing the site
Before inviting people to your event, make sure to think about the site safety as part of your risk assessment This should include:
- Plan safe entrances and exits to and from the site for all attendees, including emergency services.
- Put up easy to read signs directing attendees to entrances, exits, and emergency routes.
- Create a traffic management plan to control vehicles, prevent congestion, and so emergency vehicles can access the site without delays.
- Make pathways and access points easily accessible for people with disabilities. Look to include ramps, handrails and clear, wide paths.
- Install lighting along all routes to improve visibility and safety
- Set up parking areas away from the fireworks and bonfire zones. Make sure they’re accessible and have enough spaces for the expected number of attendees. Clearly mark emergency exits and hold regular checks to make sure these exits are clear at all times.
- Create drop-off and pick-up zones for attendees arriving by taxis, ride-sharing services, or being dropped off by friends and family.
Crowd Management
Arrange marshals and stewards to guide attendees, manage crowd flow, and help in case of emergencies.
Site Condition
Check the site is in a good condition for the expected audience size.
Lighting
Make sure there is good lighting across all areas and set up temporary lighting if required. Think about locations for power.
Weather Conditions
Keep in mind the wind direction and how any extreme weather could change the event.
Surrounding Area
Check risks to nearby neighbours, roads, railways, and power lines. Tell local airports if necessary.
Site Inspections
Complete safety inspections and record findings before, during and after the event. The inspections should highlight hazards, and make sure all safety measures are in place and working correctly. Walk through the site well before the event to show up any obvious hazards or areas of concern. This includes checking for uneven ground, obstructions, and potential fire hazards.
Trained Stewards
Employ trained stewards and consider professional contractors for large events.
Fire Hazards
Clear litter and fallen leaves and vegetation to reduce fire risks. Include fire-fighting equipment and place fire spotters near the drop zone.
First Aid
Arrange for first aiders and first aid kits to be on site throughout the event.
Emergency Plan
Create an emergency plan for unexpected incidents. Speak with local emergency services at least 28 days before your event. Make sure to inform the local authority and let nearby homes know about the event.
Employing professional firework display operators - what to look for
When choosing a professional firework display operator, make sure you check:
- References from previous events, including safety track record
- Risk assessments – following industry guidance e.g. the Blue Firework Guide
- Health and Safety Policy and arrangements - method statement, safe systems of work
- Public liability insurance
- Training records
- Professional qualifications
Your site should be divided into four separate areas, with minimum distances that follow industry guidance between each:
- Spectator area
- Safety area (between spectator area and firing area)
- Firing area
- Drop zone or fall-out area (where spent fireworks will land)
Check that the display operator has fully thought about these areas. Always keep a record of any contractor documentation and vetting checks carried out.
On the day of your event
Make sure you are prepared for the day of your event:
- Stewards should wear fluorescent clothing, torches and a communication device with good signal. If stewards are placed near the firing or drop zone areas, hard hats and ear defenders should be worn.
- Place stewards carefully around the site, including entrances, exits, spectator areas, and near emergency routes. Make sure they understand their roles and responsibilities.
- Display easy to read and noticeable signs to direct members of the public to the correct routes, spectator areas, and emergency exits. This will help manage crowd movement and helps attendees know where to go in case of an emergency.
- Give clear information to attendees about out of bounds areas, such as the firing and drop zones. Make it clear to all attendees that personal fireworks are not allowed. Explain this through pre-event comms, signage at the event, and announcements during the event.
- Make sure that setting of fireworks is only done by a qualified professional contractor. This is important for keeping everyone safe and following insurance guidelines. The professional operator should complete final checks on all fireworks and firing equipment, making sure everything is set up correctly and safely before the display begins.
- Have clear communication between the event organisers, stewards, and the professional operator to manage the timing and sequence of the fireworks display. Keep communication open with all safety people to quickly pass on any concerns or emergencies. Make sure all members have access to communication devices with good signal availability.
- Set up a first aid station with qualified people and let everyone know of its location.
- Check emergency procedures, including evacuation plans, with all staff and volunteers.
- Make sure fire-fighting equipment is in place and available, with fire spotters placed near the drop zone.
- Monitor weather conditions closely, changes in wind direction or speed can affect the safety of the fireworks display. Be prepared to re-arrange or cancel the event if conditions become unsafe.
- Assign a team to constantly monitor the site during the event to quickly identify and fix any hazards or issues.
After the event
Once the fireworks display has finished and attendees have safely left the site, there are still important tasks to complete. Post-event steps help review the success of the event, identify areas for improvement and makes sure the area is left in a safe and clean condition. Here are some key steps to follow:
- Complete a thorough site sweep after the event to make sure all attendees have safely left and to show up any remaining hazards or debris.
- Keep fire spotters in the drop zones and other high-risk areas until all fireworks are set off and there is no risk of fire.
- Log the post-event inspection, recording any issues that happened and the actions taken to fix them. This helps plan future events and improve safety steps.
- Hold a debriefing session with all safety personnel, volunteers, and contractors to reflect on the event's safety performance, talk about any issues and gather feedback for future improvements.
Helpful Guides
Useful links:
- Governments community guide to fireworks and bonfire (GOV.UK)
- Fireworks: changes to the law - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
- HSE Explosives - Organising firework displays
- Food Safety Risk Management in Outdoor Community Events (zurich.co.uk)
- How to do a risk assessment for your not for profit (zurich.co.uk)
- Event risk management for your not for profit (zurich.co.uk)
