If you’ve been tasked with putting on a fireworks display, there are a number of crucial things you need to know.

1. You’ll need to be over 18. Only people over this age are legally allowed to buy fireworks, so you’ll need to get an adult to help you organise the display.

2. Your display can’t take place between 11pm and 7am. Except on certain occasions, it’s against the law to set off fireworks between these times. However the exception to this is notably Bonfire Night, New Years Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when you are allowed to let fireworks off until later into the night.

3. You’ll need a suitable place to store your fireworks. This depends on the type but the fireworks seller or your local fire service should be able to offer advice on this.

4. Cheap fireworks aren’t worth the money. They’re smoky, smelly and could even be dangerous – and some of them might not even work.

5. It can be a good idea to hire a professional display organiser. If you aren’t sure about any aspect of the display, from safety to choosing suitable fireworks, or you have a real chunky budget and want to make it impressive it might be best to call in the professionals.

6. Site planning is crucial. You need a firing zone, and an area for the audience a safe distance from the firing zone. You’ll also need to put all bonfires, bars and other fire hazards far away from your fireworks.

7. Safety is really, really important. Fireworks can be fun and entertaining, but they can also be dangerous if the right safety precautions aren’t followed. So be sure to take a look at our Firework Safety page.