The Police Service of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service have issued safety warnings ahead of Halloween, emphasising legal fireworks use and caution around flammable costumes.

Possession, sale, handling or use of fireworks without a licence is illegal, with fines of up to £5,000. Fireworks, except indoor fireworks and sparklers, must be purchased from licensed dealers who keep sales records. Buying from market stalls or door-to-door sellers is not permitted.

Police officers are visiting retail outlets in the run-up to Halloween to check licences and legal compliance. They are also conducting proactive searches to seize illegal fireworks and targeting those selling them unlawfully.

Fire service advice includes lighting fireworks at arm's length in open spaces, keeping them away from children and pets, and never giving sparklers to children under five. Gloves should be worn when handling sparklers, and a bucket of water kept nearby for used sparklers.

Halloween costumes are often highly flammable, so people should keep them away from naked flames, use battery-operated candles instead of real ones, and choose flame-resistant materials. If clothing catches fire, the advice is to stop, drop and roll.

Police will continue patrols during events to prevent anti-social behaviour and provide reassurance. Anyone with concerns about firework misuse or anti-social behaviour can report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport, call 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

Further details on fireworks licensing are available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/fireworks.