The sale of fireworks commences in Guernsey on Thursday 29th October 2020 and is allowed until close of business on Thursday 5th November. Islanders preparing to hold a firework display, no matter how small, are reminded to declare their event and to follow the guidance in relation to safety and animal welfare.
Information on upcoming events is available here the States of Guernsey website. Please note that this may not be a complete list. You can also use this webpage to sign up to receive SMS notifications about upcoming displays.
Holding an Event
If you hold your own event, the designated day is Thursday 5th November, while Saturday 7th November is the reserve day if the weather is unsuitable on 5th November. Keep your display to the designated day (or reserve day) and within the reasonable hours of 6.30 – 8.30pm.
You should complete this event form which will help inform your neighbours and animal owners about potential noise. You can either mark the event as ‘private’ or as ‘public’ if you want to encourage visitors. If you change the date of your display, it is your responsibility to re-notify using the same form.
Let your neighbours know what you are planning. If there is livestock in nearby fields let the owners know what you are doing and avoid setting off fireworks late at night.
Do not fire fireworks in public places (parks, beaches etc.) and ensure you follow the Health & Safety Executive good practice guidance (here).
Safety
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before purchase and use. Simple precautions save injuries and damage; always follow the Fireworks Code (here). Ensure you dispose of firework waste responsibly. Further safety advice can be found here.
Animals
It is important to keep sensitive pets in a safe and secure environment that will ideally muffle the sounds. However, animals must not be confined to small spaces as confinement heightens their anxiety. For instance, keep your dog in the house, draw the curtains, turn up the television but let the dog wander from room to room as it wants.
In order to avoid injuring any wild animals, such as hedgehogs, which may utilise bonfires as a place for hibernation, we advise that you do not start creating the bonfire until a day or two before the bonfire is due to be lit. Alternatively, a wildlife-proof fence should be erected around the bonfire to dissuade wildlife from entering the bonfire prior to it being lit – this fence should be removed just prior to lighting the bonfire.
More preparatory advice, safety advice and advice on sensitive animals & wildlife can be found here.
Buying fireworks
In Guernsey, you can only purchase fireworks from on-island retailers. Off-island retailers cannot ship fireworks to Guernsey; if you purchase fireworks online and attempt to import fireworks, your shipment will be detained by customs and you may be committing an offence.
Fireworks can only be sold between Thursday 29th October and close of business on Thursday 5th November 2020.
The sale of fireworks to persons under 20 years of age is prohibited.
