4 November 2008

FIREWORKS CAMPAIGN 2008

PRESS RELEASE FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 5TH 2008

FIREWORKS CAMPAIGN 2008

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR FIREWORK SAFETY SAYS FIREWORK REGULATIONS ARE FULL OF GET OUT CLAUSES AND WE NEED NEW AND EFFECTIVE REGULATIONS

The National Campaign for Firework Safety concentrates this year on the Regulations which the Government brought in 1994 and 1997. The Regulations are completely nullified by the Get Out clauses that appear below which state these Regs do not apply to anybody who claims they are a professional firework display operator, or they normally use display fireworks at displays which use fireworks for special effects. This means Fireworks can be sold to just about anybody over the correct age provided they say they are professional firework people from the industry or even that they just put on displays every year. Some of the biggest and worst firework injuries have been caused by these people who do not require a license to put on a Firework Display and are in charge of crowds of often tens of thousands of people.

The campaign wants display fireworks available only for licensed firework displays put on by trained and experienced operators if we are to ensure that firework displays are safe.

The campaign also wants fireworks prohibited from the thousands of shops that spring up every year operated by "cowboy" salesmen that sell fireworks to anybody.

When the campaign began back in 1969 we campaigned for licensed firework display put on by trained operators, and a prohibition on shops with "cowboy" operators pushing fireworks to just about anybody.

GOVT FIREWORK REGULATIONS
Regulations prohibit persons under 18 from possessing an adult firework in higher category 3 or category 4.

Prohibits people from using fireworks during night hours 11am to 7am. except Festivals Duvali, Chinese New Year, and New Year's Eve 1am and until midnight on November 5.

Prohibits the supply of fireworks or possession of fireworks in category 3 whose noise levels exceed 120 decibels.

Requires suppliers of adult fireworks to hold a license except at certain time of year.

Requires suppliers of adult fireworks to inform those who are supplied that it is a criminal offence for those under 18s. to hold adult fireworks.

Normal firework use October 15 to November 10th.

IMPORTATION OF FIREWORKS

Anybody importing fireworks must apply to the Customs & Excise and supply them with the following information

(i) Their Name & Address.

(ii) The name of the person or persons who are to store the fireworks following (iii) The address of the premises at which the fireworks are to be stored following theitheir importation. (Proof should be supplied of names and addresses)

r importation. (Even the firework industry is worried by this. We do not know where fireworks are stored when they are imported)

The possession of enforcement duty in England Scotland & Wales is transferred to the Chief of Police of each Police Force. (They blame each other Police/Trading Standards officers if things go wrong)

The Local Authority should be informed of the supply of fireworks over 50 Kilograms. (People can now store and hold 50Kg of fireworks)

NB These Regs shall not apply to anybody who is employed by or in business as a professional firework display organiser or operator of firework displays or the user of fireworks as special effects

(Even the Firework Sales Companies are calling for greater regulations on the importation of fireworks which do not work)

NOEL TOBIN,
DIRECTOR,
NCFS,
118 LONG ACRE,
LONDON WC2E 9PA

TEL 020 7836 6703 /07799193318

National Campaign For Firework Safety
Press Release Issued By: Noel Tobin