Firework displays at home are increasingly popular, possibly because fireworks are more affordable than they used to be. Another possible reason is that retailers like 1^st Galaxy sell party packs that are easy to manage yourself, and there’s also the fact that many people love to create and plan their own unique displays.

If you’re geared up to have a fireworks celebration in your back garden, it’s important to check your outdoor space to see if it’s suitable. Here are the 6 essentials you need to check:

1. Have you got enough space?

You need more space than you think to set off fireworks safely, and safety really is the crucial word when it comes to home displays. You need to leave an adequate distance between your spectators and what is known as the ‘firing zone’. Sometimes, fireworks don’t always do what you expect them to, but you can keep everyone safe and enjoying the show by leaving at least 5 to 8 metres between them and the pyrotechnics. There’s also the ‘fallout zone’ to consider, which is where the fireworks will land. Check you have enough space to avoid fireworks debris landing on anyone or anything flammable or combustible.

 

2. Finding the right fireworks

Fireworks come in different categories, a higher number indicating an increase in size and explosive power. Categories 1, 2 and 3 are ok for home events, although Category 2 (known as Garden Fireworks) are the best choice for your back garden display. If you see fireworks marked as Category 4, you’ll need a professional fireworks display technician to manage them for you.

 

3. Fireworks storage

Being explosive products, your fireworks need to be stored somewhere safe and dry. Needless to say, they should be kept away from children and animals. If you store them incorrectly, such as leaving them outside in your garden on a rainy night, they may not work at all and could potentially be dangerous.

 

4. Have you got an escape route?

When dealing with anything as excitingly explosive as fireworks, it’s important to keep safety in mind and plan for a worst-case scenario. You need to check that there is enough room for an escape route, for both the firer in the firing zone and the spectators from the garden, and consider whether there would be access for a fire engine if something really did go wrong. This isn’t the most fun part of planning a fireworks display, but it is important.

 

5. Obstructions

Before the display, check whether there is anything that could disrupt the flight of the fireworks. Trees and overhanging cables are prime examples of this, and they can put an end to your plans unless you can find a way around the problem.

 

6. Neighbours

If your garden is very close to another property, you could annoy your neighbours if you don’t tell them about the display. Make sure you give them lots of notice of the event – a bottle of wine or even an invite to the display could smooth things over very nicely!