Eye protection: Essential. Even a slow moving piece of debris can cause injury to the eye and it goes without saying the eyes are at risk from fire, flame or explosion. With fireworks you may get very little warning if something has gone wrong. We strongly recommend a visit to your local hardware or DIY shop to get a decent pair of goggles, as these will last for many years and can be used for other things too. Importantly, investing in a pair of decent goggles means you'll get a pair that a) fits you and b) you're comfortable with (especially important if you wear spectacles). Make sure they are endorsed with a CE kitemark or better. Beware "free" goggles given away by some companies; these are mass produced and may not offer the best fit or visibility. Some have a protective layer of film on the plastic front, peel this off first (yes, we've all been caught out by the old "There's something wrong with these goggles I can hardly see through them" problem). If you wear spectacles, goggles are still required.

Gloves: Essential. Hands are at risk from burns even from small fireworks - if sparklers are the No.1 cause of burns you can imagine what a display firework could do. Fuse on rockets is particularly prone to burning thumbs or fingers if you try to use a lighter and don't wear gloves. The use of portfires, which we'll cover shortly, goes hand in hand (no pun intended!) with the use of gloves.

Head protection: Essential. There are two reasons for head protection. Firstly for the danger of burns from falling embers or spent casings and secondly for the danger of physical injury from falling debris such as a rocket stick. In a big display it's inevitable you'll be hit at some point by something. Absolute minimum is a sturdy baseball cap, recommended is a hard hat. These are inexpensive (eg. £5 from B&Q) but ask around - anyone who works in the building, electrical, telecommunications or construction trades will have one you could borrow. The most difficult thing about wearing a hard hat (especially in the back garden) is that you feel a right prick. But it's better that than having to wear a bandage around your head for two weeks afterwards. Besides, it'll be dark and no-one will see you.

Sturdy coat: A nice thick coat is a must on a cold evening, but even if it's summer, put one on. It's all useful protection. Never fire wearing shorts or T-shirts. Make sure pockets are buttoned down to avoid any unwelcome visitors (falling debris or sparks) and never carry fireworks in your pockets!

Good boots: Needed for good grip as well as protection. You could be standing around for hours so make sure they're comfortable. Trouser legs should go over the outside of boots, so no hot debris can fall in.

Ear plugs: Decide whether you need ear protection based on your fireworks and planned routine. Ear protection should be considered if you display regularly. However, the downside is harder communication between firers and they can take a while to get used too. The small ear plugs given away free by some firework companies are of limited use when you're running around on the night, far better if you're serious about this point to get a professional set of ear defenders.

The flame is very hot. It will light fuses easily and positively.

The flame is affected very little by wind. In fact anything short of a gale has no appreciable affect on it.

The flame is resistant to the effects of rain.

The flame is reliable. Unlike tapers, it shouldn't suddenly die on you.

They can be held in a gloved hand - unlike disposable lighters which need uncovered hands to operate.

They can be taped to the end of sticks for added safety or for reaching set pieces mounted on frames.

They're used by professional displayers.

The wind is not too strong to display. You may need to make minor adjustments to the angle of some candles or rocket racks.

Everyone is happy what they are lighting, and in what order.

You all know what "Plan B" is, in case something goes wrong or out of sequence.

You all know where safety equipment is - first aid kits and fire extinguishers or water.

You all have adequate portfires, a torch and a lighter (in case you get caught between portfires) and know where to get more if you run out.

The crowd is in the correct place and no-one is in the safety or fall out zone other than cleared staff who should be there.

You've moved your car/van away from the firing or fall out zones.

Remember at all times you're dealing with explosives and public safety. If in doubt, about anything at all, stop and check. Don't take risks and don't start your display if it's unsafe to do so.

Assuming it's dry remove any fuse coverings or rain protection from the first few fireworks. Whether you do this with all of them is dependent on the weather, what you're firing and how close together they are. We generally just remove big bags etc as we go along. Again it's up to you. Use common sense. Steady rain can ruin a fuse very quickly though, so take this into account if it's raining. If it is completely dry there is no reason why you cannot remove the coverings on all the fireworks.

Check all firers including yourself have goggles on (and not sitting on top of their head, it's easy to forget) and head protection if you're using it.

Do a final check of the safety and fall out zones.

Get those portfires alight and off you go...... good luck!

Never, ever, lean over a firework. Treat fireworks like a loaded gun. Take particular care with cakes where you'll have to bend down to light them - ensure no part of your body is over the firework itself.

Make sure it's the fuse you light. Under torch light - and pressure - it can be easy to make a mistake. Common examples are trying to find the fuse if it was not located and extended during setting up, not removing the fuse cover, or lighting the wrong fuse on lancework.

Light the fuse's tip. Not part way down. The fuse is there for a very good reason - to let YOU get away. Use it properly.

Once a fuse is lit, NEVER go back to the firework even if something goes wrong. If the fuse burns part way and goes out (rare), NEVER go back and try to re-light it. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Portfires should eliminate the problem of "partly lit" fuses where the end smoulders slightly but does not appear to take. If you get a partly lit fuse, GET AWAY. Treat it as if it was going to go off as normal.

After lighting a firework, MOVE AWAY to a safe distance. This will be determined by the firework and your safety clothing. Please err on the side of caution by setting fireworks up so the next one is a good distance away - you'll kill two birds with one stone then, using the time you're moving away from one to get into position for the next.

Watch where you are walking. Beware other fireworks on the ground, and other firers.

Light your next portfire in plenty of time.

Never drink and display. Save the booze for after the display.