If you’re organising or going to a fireworks display, you will absolutely love all of the effects, colours, booms and bangs. But what about your neighbours? And their pets? Unfortunately, fireworks can be seen as an annoyance for some – but there are ways that you can be more considerate and ensure that everyone has a good time.

Before your next fireworks display, make sure that you tick off these five important steps off your planning list:

1. Inform your neighbours. This is the single most effective way to prevent complaints about your fireworks. Go around everyone in your street or neighbourhood to inform them of the display, including what time it will start. This gives them time to adjust their plans, whether it’s preparing to comfort pets or delay children’s bedtimes. Apologise in advance for any inconvenience and you’ll be amazed at how much happier that makes everyone.
2. Hold your display at a considerate time. This means within local authority rules, so not between 11pm and 7am. However, you can do more than just stick to the rules with consideration for your neighbours in mind. Avoid Sundays if you can, because people need to work the next day. It’s best to start your display just after it gets dark so that you’re finished nice and early, when hardly anyone is in bed yet.
3. Consider quieter fireworks. If you live in a densely populated neighbourhood with a lot of neighbours living close by, you may need to adjust your display to minimise noise and disruption. There are many quieter types of fireworks you can buy which offer the same beautiful effects but without the ground-shaking noise of a massive rocket, for example.
4. Invite the neighbours! This is another simple but remarkably effective way of getting the neighbours on board. Bill your event as a display for the neighbourhood, and invite everyone along. Not everyone will come, but they’ll appreciate being asked. The more the merrier!
5. Run your display responsibly. The last thing you want is to put yourself, your guests or your neighbours in danger. With this in mind, make sure you:

• Avoid drinking alcohol if you’ll be running the display
• Read all safety and firing instructions first
• Make sure you have more than enough space to set off your fireworks a safe distance from spectators and neighbouring properties
• Wear safety equipment such as eye goggles and gloves
• Bear in mind that during hot, dry weather conditions, it may be dangerous to set off fireworks due to a risk of fire – you may want to postpone to a different day
• If you aren’t confident of using fireworks yourself, don’t use them. Consult a professional or appoint someone with experience of using fireworks to manage your display.

If you need any more help to be a safe and considerate fireworks display organiser, feel free to get in touch with the team at 1^st Galaxy Fireworks. Remember – it can only be fun if it’s safe!