RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

October 30, 2003
SHOP THE COWBOYS OR FIREWORKS COULD BE BANNED

Cowboy traders, irresponsible shopkeepers and foolish parents could cause fireworks to be banned from sale to the public and ruin Bonfire Night fun for thousands of people, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today.

Dealers in rogue fireworks, those who sell to people under-18 or give them to children reinforce the argument for a clampdown on firework sales, the Society said as the UK prepared for the biggest bonfire weekend of the year.

RoSPA does not support a ban on sales to the public because it could lead to a black market in powerful fireworks or tempt people to make their own. This would lead to worse injuries than those caused by fireworks sold legally.

David Jenkins, RoSPA Product Safety Adviser said: “The illegal firework trade is escalating and that is likely to lead to more misuse, nuisance and injuries. People who deal from the backs of vans or unregistered premises may be selling fireworks which are too dangerous to be handled by the public. Shopkeepers who sell to under-18s are risking heavy fines and even imprisonment. Instead of buying fireworks from cowboy dealers the public should be telling trading standards officers about them so that official action can be taken.

“Adults who pass fireworks on to youngsters could be responsible for them being maimed and will have to live with that for the rest of their lives. It will also soon be illegal for people under 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.”

He said RoSPA wanted bonfire celebrations to be enjoyed, but some people seemed intent on spoiling that enjoyment by breaking the law and increasing pressure for fireworks to be banned. Hopefully new regulations would tighten up on imports, sales and handling fireworks, but everyone should help to stop illegal sales.

RoSPA’s advice is to go to properly organised public displays, which are much safer. If people want fireworks at home, they should plan their display carefully, read instructions and follow the firework code.

More than half of last year’s 1,017 firework injuries involved under-18s – a group which should not be sold fireworks. And around one third of the injuries happened in the street where it is illegal to set off fireworks.

The firework code and other safety information can be found at www.rospa.com - see link on home page.