With Bonfire Night now just days away, many people are looking forward to going along to a local display or enjoying their own fireworks in their back gardens.
But with people lighting up the sky on November 5, it is worth making sure you're away of certain rules so you don't end up hit with a hefty fine, or on the wrong side of the law. While most people are aware of some rules around buying fireworks, there are others that aren't as commonly shared.
Experts from the BPP University Law School have shared laws you could be breaking by hosting a bonfire celebration in your garden this year.
READ MORE: Young mum fears for toddler's life as bonfire is built outside her home
These include what can be put on a bonfire, what time you can set fireworks off, and where you can and can't allow smoke from your display to drift.
Fireworks
Many of us are aware you have to be aged 18 or over if you want to buy fireworks, but people may not realise you can only legally buy fireworks from registered, regulated sellers, and on specific days of the year. These fall between Halloween and Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year and three days Before Diwali and Chinese New Year.
As well as this, there is a curfew as to when you can set fireworks off. For the majority of the year, it is against the law to set off fireworks between the hours of 11pm and 7am. However, on bonfire night this curfew is extended to 12am and on other big nights of the year such as New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year the cut-off is 1am.
While they are exciting and entertaining for many humans, fireworks can cause distress among dogs and other pets. Whether you own animals or not, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it actually counts as animal cruelty for causing "unnecessary stress" on pets.
If you have a dog, do your best to block out the noise and comfort your pets. If you don't, you should still be wary of other animals in your area and give your neighbours a pre-warning that you are planning to set off fireworks to celebrate.
Bonfires
When it comes to building and lighting bonfires, there are a number of rules you must follow. While a bonfire might seem like a good idea to get rid of things you no longer want, there are many things that cannot be burnt to keep the fire going.
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence to burn anything on a bonfire that could release toxic or harmful fumes into the atmosphere and in turn harm the environment or humans. You should also be aware that having bonfires next to highways where smoke could drift, could land you with a huge £5000 fine, as it can block the view of drivers.
Therefore if you plan on having a bonfire on November 5, make sure to consider your location, and how close it is to public highways before setting it alight.
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