Fireworks

Includes: fireworks, sparklers, bonfire night Outdoors, Celebration, Nature and the great outdoors

Activity time:
1 meeting

Age:
5+

Cost:
High

Marvel at a fireworks display

Fireworks can be truly impressive and girls and young women of all ages can enjoy watching the lights explode across the sky.

Overview

Fireworks are popular at events and celebrations. As they can be unpredictable and dangerous, it is recommended that guiding groups attend organised displays rather than organise their own. If you do wish to organise your own display, please follow the regulations below.

Planning checklist

Safety notes

The Girlguiding Public Liability insurance covers members of Girlguiding organising fireworks themselves, but does not cover anyone else doing so. If hiring a professional fireworks operator, they must have their own liability insurance that will cover injury to third parties. You should request a copy of this.

The Girlguiding Personal Accident policy covers members, recognised volunteers and anyone who has been asked to help at a guiding event.

See safety regulations for more information on using fireworks safely.

Select a reputable local fireworks provider.
Inform your local Commissioner.
Make sure you have parental consent.
Carry out a risk assessment of the elements of the activity for which you are responsible.
Organise your Leadership Team to cover ratios.
Check the weather forecast.
Glow sticks are a fun way to celebrate but be careful not to cut or burst them because they contain chemicals that can harm eyes and skin, and might stain your clothes.

If you decide to organise your own fireworks:

Follow the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) advice on organising firework displays.
Follow the instructions on the fireworks carefully.
Ensure that fireworks comply with British Standards or are CE marked.
Ensure that fireworks state the setting they are made for (indoor, garden or display) and are used in the setting stated.
Inform the police, fire brigade and any neighbours of the activity.
One or two designated adults must be in control of the fireworks, and no children must be allowed inside the designated fireworks area.
Ensure appropriate fire fighting equipment is available.

Sparklers

Sparklers are a common cause of injuries. For this reason, the use of sparklers at guiding events is strongly discouraged, especially for younger girls.

If you do decide to give sparklers to young members:

explain the potential danger to girls
ensure users stand far enough apart so they cannot accidentally cause injury to each other
ensure they wear gloves
have a bucket of water ready to extinguish the sparklers, and in case of burns.

comply with British Standards or are CE marked.

Section	Number of girls per adult
Rainbows	5
Brownies	8
Guides	12

How many adults are needed?

Use this calculator to find out the ratio of girls to adults that is required for this activity

Calculator Enter the number of girls taking part and your section Select a section

2 adults needed

For crowd control at large events, at least one designated steward is required for every 250 spectators (and at least two stewards in total).

Forms

An Activity Information and Consent form is required to participate in this activity - PDF | Word
A Risk Assessment form is required for this activity - PDF

Remember - you can use one consent form for multiple activities

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