Tuesday 28
October 2008
10.00hrs
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) will be joining forces
with local Trading Standards officers this week in Bath and North
East Somerset (BANES) and South Gloucestershire in a bid to spread
the firework safety message.
With Bonfire Night just days away, licensed firework retailers
in the area are being visited by firefighters and council officers.
Shopkeepers will be reminded it is illegal to sell fireworks to
people under 18 and, in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour, they
will be encouraged to ask for ID from anyone who looks younger than
21.
During the visits retailers will also be asked to hand out
AF&RS’s colourful leaflets to people buying fireworks,
providing them with some basic safety advice.
Station Manager Martin Glanvill from AF&RS’s Community
Safety Team said: “We’re confident that by working together with
our colleagues from Trading Standards we will be reaching retailers
and the right members of the public with these hugely important
messages.
“Although we would always urge people to attend properly
organised, public displays, we know there are many who choose to
host their own firework parties so we are trying to provide them
with all the information they need.
“More than half of those who suffer firework related injuries
each year will be under the age of 17, so there is a big emphasis
on retailers to think carefully about who they sell fireworks to.
Although they can be great fun when used properly, misuse can often
result in horrific injuries that will remain for life.”
Senior Enforcement Officer, Alan Cahill from South
Gloucestershire Council Trading Standards said: “We want everyone
to enjoy a good display on bonfire night. However, retailers have
to be responsible and not sell fireworks to people under
18.
“Fireworks can annoy neighbours, particularly the elderly and
the very young and frighten both domestic and farm animals by their
excessive noise. I would ask people to be considerate of
their neighbours when using fireworks”.
Councillor Charles Gerrish, Bath & North East Somerset Council
Cabinet Member with responsibility for Customer Services, said:
“Fireworks are explosives, not toys. Treat them with the respect
they deserve, and you’ll have a bonfire night to remember for all
the best reasons.
“Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards
officers have an important role in working with businesses and
local people to make sure they understand the importance of the
legislation around the sale of fireworks and this initiative is a
very good way of spreading messages about firework safety.”
Learn more about firework safety.