Instructions for Wheels & Fountains

Set-up firing for Catherine Wheels

Follow the directions as instructed on the fireworks warning label. Please be aware of the required safety distances for firers and spectators.

Step 1 - Attach securely to an upright post (by means of the nailed supplied) through the hole in the centre of the wheel.

Step 2 - Make sure the wheel is free to spin.

Step 3 - Remove orange fuse cover.

Step 4 - Standing sideways, at arm’s length light outermost end of the fuse and retire immediately to the stated distance on the firework label.

Further Advice for Catherine Wheels

Pre Spin Checks

Once you have nailed your wheel in place check it can spin freely by giving it a really good spin also, make sure its not to loose and wobbles. Too tight or too loose and the Wheel won't spin properly and you won't get the display you want.

Wet Weather 

You should not wrap your Wheel in plastic, place a bin bag over the wheel on the pole if you need to protect it from the rain. Remove before lighting.

Set-up firing for Fountains/Gerbs

Follow the directions as instructed on the fireworks warning label. Please be aware of the required safety distances for firers and spectators.

Step 1 - Place firework on flat ground and secure to a stake or post which has been inserted in to the ground (crowd side of the Candle) with strong tape or cable ties.

Step 2- Locate 1st fuse, signified by the words FUSE or FIRST FUSE or by the number 1. (Note: Some fireworks now contain 2 fuses others only have 1)

Step 3 - Remove the orange fuse cover and if required pull fuse through clear plastic on top of the cake for easier access.

Step 4 - Ensuring no part of your body is over the firework. Standing sideways, at arm’s length light outermost end of the fuse and retire immediately to the stated distance on the firework label.

Further Advice for Fountains

Raise the height of your fountain

A cylindrical fountain can be put up on a post for better effect. Use cable ties or Cloth tape (Gaffer or Duct Tape) to attach the fountain to your posts (being careful not to over-tighten and crush the tubes). Remember not to put it too high as you will need to reach the fuse!

Wet Weather 

You can wrap your Fountains/Gerbs in plastic, either a plastic bag or wrap in cling film. Only do this if the firework is likely to be sat out in the rain for some period before you need to light it.

Before you light the fuse cut open the plastic with a knife and follow the instructions above to lighting the firework.

What is the minimum set-up I need to do?

Not everyone has stakes, gaffer tape or cable ties to hand and although we would recommend getting these items, here are some workarounds;

• Part bury the firework in soil (some fireworks have bury lines on them)
• If you have a fence post or even a table leg or metal parasol base that you can tie the Fountain too. You can use string, wire if you don't have cable ties. Don't use sellotape as it will melt if hit by sparks.

Hot, hot, hot!

The Fountain will be extremely hot after it has fired so leave a good while before moving or touching it.

Disposing of the firework

Under no circumstances should you throw the 'dead' firework on a bonfire. There may still be unused pyrotechnics in it and it might randomly fire or explode.

A used or 'dead' firework is mostly cardboard and clay so can be put into a bin bag for the refuse service. Do not put fireworks that failed to fire in the bin, return them to us for safe disposal.