Dundonians are nervously waiting for Bonfire Night, hoping for no repeat of the shameful scenes in the city’s Kirkton area.
As residents across Courier Country prepare for more traditional celebrations on November 5, some supermarkets have already cleared the shelves of fireworks.
With everyone hoping for a safe weekend, here’s our guide to the national rules and regulations on firework sales and use in Scotland.
Can you buy fireworks for under 18s?
In June 2022, MSPs passed the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill.
Some parts of the legislation became law on October 10.
Under the new laws, it is illegal for anyone to buy or supply fireworks to someone under the age of 18.
Those who are caught could face a fine of up to £5,000 or six months in prison.
Attacks on emergency workers using fireworks will also now be classed as an “aggravating factor”.
This means it can be taken into account when a court is sentencing someone for firework misuse.
What about sparklers?
You can still give sparklers to children under the new rules.
There are four categories of fireworks.
- F1 – Small fireworks that can be used indoor or in close proximity such as sparklers, party poppers and Christmas crackers. These are not covered by the new legislation, meaning they can be given to under 18s.
- F2 – Fireworks designed for outdoor use in confined areas such as Roman candles and rockets. These can be bought by members of the public, but cannot be given to under 18s.
- F3 – Fireworks designed for outdoor use in large open areas and have a minimum spectator safety distance of 25 metres. Again these can be sold to members of the public, but cannot be given to under 18s.
- F4 – These fireworks present a “high hazard” and are therefore only for professional use. Members of the public cannot buy F4 fireworks.
When can fireworks be set off?
It is illegal for the general public to use fireworks before 6pm or after 11pm.
This extends to midnight on Guy Fawkes Night and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and the festival of Diwali.
Fireworks can also only be bought and sold between 7am and 6pm. Members of the public are restricted to buying up to 5kg at a time.
Has the Kirkton riots changed anything?
Yes – Asda, Tesco and Morrisons in Dundee have all halted the sale of fireworks after the Kirkton riots on Hallowe’en.
Council leader John Alexander had called for the sale of fireworks to be completely suspended across the city.
Police Scotland have also said they will have a “significant” presence in the city over the weekend on the back of the riots.
The ban on supermarket sales of fireworks does not extend to Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross.
Are there any more restrictions?
More regulations are due to come into effect under the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022.
This includes giving local authorities the power to designate firework control zones.
It will also restrict the sale of fireworks to certain times of the year such as Guy Fawkes Day, Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
Those wishing to buy and use fireworks will also need to undertake mandatory safety training.
These rules are not expected to be made law until 2023.
