Fireworks

Fireworks also have impacts on the environment, with the release of pollutants having the potential to contribute to air quality issues and the associated waste and falling debris leading to unnecessary litter, with the potential to cause direct harm to livestock and wildlife.

East Suffolk Council encourage anyone planning any type of fireworks display, whether at home or as part of a community or commercial event, to reflect best practice and consider lower-impact alternatives to fireworks.

• Please be considerate of your neighbours. If you are planning fireworks, or a bonfire, make sure you tell them in advance. This will enable them to take the appropriate steps to prepare themselves, especially if they have pets, are elderly, vulnerable or have children.
• Please ensure that the fallout zone is cleared of any litter and debris promptly.
• Please consider quieter fireworks up to 90dB, and/or silent fireworks, as a proportion of the display.
• There is a range of other fund-raising activities that avoid or carry much reduced impacts on animals and vulnerable people. Examples include laser shows or drone light shows, which are starting to become more popular as near-direct alternatives to fireworks displays.

Fireworks on land owned by the council

If anyone intends to discharge fireworks from council-owned land, we would of course expect that a detailed application be submitted for use of the land, ahead of a risk assessment review by our Corporate Health and Safety team. Any event held on East Suffolk Council land must comply with our Terms and Conditions

Always follow the guidance issued by the Health and Safety Executive, in conjunction with the laws setting out when fireworks can be purchased and used

Please note that sky lanterns and balloon releases are not a suitable alternative to fireworks. These pose additional risks of harm to animals, pets, livestock and wildlife, with additional risks of fire posed by sky lanterns. The release of sky lanterns and balloons is not permitted from land owned by East Suffolk Council.

Restrictions on mass balloon and sky lantern releases

Sky lanterns and the mass release of balloons are banned from council-owned land, due to the risk they pose to wildlife and livestock. There have been documented cases of livestock or other animal loss, including cattle, horses, sheep and goats as a result of ingestion of parts from sky lanterns and balloon debris. Entrapment and panic are also known issues affecting livestock and wildlife.

Furthermore, sky lanterns pose a documented fire hazard and a significant risk to the proper and effective operation of coastal rescue services.

A ban on mass balloon releases, and a ban on the release of any sky lanterns whatsoever, is included within the terms for leasing council land for all events:

Good practice and safety guidelines for events

We encourage landowners, parish and town councils and event organisers to consider doing the same.

Some fun alternatives to mark a special occasion or raise money:

• Planting a native tree, flower or butterfly garden.
• Flags, banners, streamers, ribbons and dancing inflatables.
• Kites and garden spinners.
• Bunting.
• Tissue paper pompoms.
• Floating flowers.
• Lighting candles and lanterns.
• Blowing bubbles.
• LED lights.