Stay safe and enjoy firework season

On the day that fireworks legally go on sale, West Yorkshire Trading Standards is reminding traders of their responsibilities to ensure they are supplying safe fireworks and are adhering to the law by only selling adult fireworks to people over the age of 18.

As well as being a time for fun and celebrations, firework season can often encourage incidents of antisocial behaviour which can cause concern and in extreme cases, fear for vulnerable residents.  Bonfire night and fireworks in general can be great fun for the entire family but it is important that it is celebrated safely, however every year there are accidents caused by the careless and improper use of fireworks.

Some traders can sell fireworks throughout the whole year; to do this they must have an all-year-round licence. There are strict rules in place to ensure that fireworks can only be sold in accordance with the correct licence and most licences restrict firework sales, only allowing them to be sold between the 15^th of October and 10^th of November.

Other periods when fireworks can be sold in accordance with a licence are as following;

• On the first day of the Chinese New Year and 3 days preceding it.
• On the day of Diwali and the 3 days preceding it.
• During the period 26^th December and 31^st December.

The following fireworks are not allowed to be supplied to the public:

• Aerial wheels;
• Shells-in-mortar;
• Air bombs;
• All bangers (including batteries and combinations, such as Chinese Crackers)
• Mini rockets
• Fireworks with erratic flight (e.g. jumping ground spinners, jumping crackers, spinners)
• Category 4 professional display fireworks (other than to a person with specialist knowledge)

Traders caught breaching the law can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to six months for selling or using fireworks illegally.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service advises that:

• Only purchase fireworks from licenced premises and do not be tempted to buy fireworks from someone who is selling them in the street, from online social media platforms or from the back of a van etc.
• Check and review the packaging before you buy. Fireworks must be marked with BS EN 15947 and bear a CE Mark or UKCA Mark.
• Fireworks must be supplied in their original packaging and not sold separately from selection packs.

What is West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service doing to help keep the public safe?

On the run up to Bonfire Night, West Yorkshire Trading Standards will be acting on intelligence to target traders who are selling unsafe or banned fireworks to ensure wherever possible illegal fireworks are removed from sale.

Officers will also be partnering with West Yorkshire Police and Fire and Rescue Service, in multi-agency operations targeting rogue sellers including those selling to children, with the aim of ensuring residents have a safe fireworks season.

Councillor Melanie Jones Chair of the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee that oversees the work of Trading Standards said ‘Businesses have a responsibility to ensure fireworks they sell are safe, and that they are only sold to adults. Selling fireworks to anyone under the age of 18 is illegal.  Many of the problems caused by fireworks are the result of irresponsible and inconsiderate misuse by children who get hold of them through illicit means, and we want to ensure a safe and enjoyable bonfire season for all.’

Linda Davis, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards (Protecting Communities) said, “There is no excuse for retailers selling fireworks to children.  This is a reminder to businesses that the legal minimum age for buying fireworks is 18 and that they must make age verification checks if in any doubt before selling. Consumers wishing to report illegal trading practices, including the sale of unsafe fireworks, or the sale of age restricted goods to children can call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 to report their concerns - this can be done anonymously.