Fireworks - yes or no?

[LMH]

Hi

Just wondering what people's opinions are regarding fireworks.

Do you think the time has come to ban them from sale to the public?

Do you think organised displays are the way forward?

At the risk of stating the obvious, if you are having a display in your garden, here are some guidelines:

It is against the law for under 18's to possess fireworks.

Do not set off fireworks after 11pm - it is illegal and you could be fined. (You may let off fireworks up to 12 midnight on 5 November and 1am on Diwali, New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year).

Check the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of your garden (mostly category 2 only) and conform to British Standards (BS 7114).

Children under five should not be given sparklers and those over five should wear gloves.

Bonfires should be at least 18 metres (60ft) away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or sheds.

Only use domestic firelighters, never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids.

I'd be really interested to hear your comments.

Many thanks.

Lisa

 

[Fubar]

Hi Lisa

definately ban the sale of fireworks to the public! it is a nightmare up here with kids letting off fireworks from October onwards and, as someone who had a firework thrown at me when I was younger - I hate them.

shops seem only interested in making money, and even big "concientious" stores like Asda and Tesco are selling them - and there a plenty over-18's buying and then passing to kids.

people will no doubt complain about a nanny-state but in the wrong hands these are weapons, and should be treated as such.

Mark (",)

 

[LMH]

Hi Mark

Totally agree.

Incidentially - the public can report a fireworks incident anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Lisa

 

[Damian]

Lisa, I think the time has come to restrict the sale of fireworks, and only supply to organised events.

Dont get me wrong, I actually like them, BUT my dogs dont, and suffer badly as a result of inconsiderate misuse of the things.

I have to put up with fireworks going off almost all year round , if its not the start of the sailing season, its the end, prizegivings, events at Osborne House, which always end in fireworks, all the different sailing clubs have different nights for them, then there are the 3 day pop festivals, ending in massive fireworks displays.

On top of that, the shops sell the things from early October and every night, especially bad at weekends, we have the "silly brigade" out throwing them anywhere they feel like, until 4am in the morning, thinking its good fun , after consuming large quantities of alchohol beforehand.

The law regarding under 18's having fireworks is just not enforceable, much as using mobiles in cars, so is a non starter.

Having seen the result of mishandled fireworks and the suffering they can cause, its really about time they were stopped altogether.

As for bonfires, its not illegal to light one, but you can be prosecuted for smoke pollution, so there is a problem there.

At the end of the day, Firework night is all about Guy Fawkes, who failed miserably to blow up the houses of Parliament, now IF he had succeeded, and we no longer had politicians such as Blair, then I can see a relevance to celebrating that.

*goes back to sorting out music to play when the fireworks start to cover the noise for the dogs, who are particularly fond of Queen, at quite a high volume*

 

[LMH]

Lisa, I think the time has come to restrict the sale of fireworks, and only supply to organised events.

Dont get me wrong, I actually like them, BUT my dogs dont, and suffer badly as a result of inconsiderate misuse of the things.

I have to put up with fireworks going off almost all year round , if its not the start of the sailing season, its the end, prizegivings, events at Osborne House, which always end in fireworks, all the different sailing clubs have different nights for them, then there are the 3 day pop festivals, ending in massive fireworks displays.

On top of that, the shops sell the things from early October and every night, especially bad at weekends, we have the "silly brigade" out throwing them anywhere they feel like, until 4am in the morning, thinking its good fun , after consuming large quantities of alchohol beforehand.

The law regarding under 18's having fireworks is just not enforceable, much as using mobiles in cars, so is a non starter.

Having seen the result of mishandled fireworks and the suffering they can cause, its really about time they were stopped altogether.

As for bonfires, its not illegal to light one, but you can be prosecuted for smoke pollution, so there is a problem there.

At the end of the day, Firework night is all about Guy Fawkes, who failed miserably to blow up the houses of Parliament, now IF he had succeeded, and we no longer had politicians such as Blair, then I can see a relevance to celebrating that.

*goes back to sorting out music to play when the fireworks start to cover the noise for the dogs, who are particularly fond of Queen, at quite a high volume*

Hi Damian

Thanks for your reply.

QUOTE: 'As for bonfires, its not illegal to light one, but you can be prosecuted for smoke pollution, so there is a problem there'.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 enables local authorities to deal formally with domestic bonfires using statutory nuisance provisions of the Act. However, the legislation is difficult to enforce because it can only be applied to frequent lighting of bonfires at premises. The lighting of a single bonfire cannot be controlled using this legislation.

Commercial bonfires are controlled by the Clean Air Act 1974. It is an offence to produce dark or black smoke from a bonfire at commercial premises.

I know what you mean about the dogs. There are non harmful and effective homeopathic remedies available for animals. My older dog doesn't like the noises from fireworks so she'll be on a Bachs Flower Water Remedy.

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Hi Damian

Thanks for your reply.

QUOTE: 'As for bonfires, its not illegal to light one, but you can be prosecuted for smoke pollution, so there is a problem there'.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 enables local authorities to deal formally with domestic bonfires using statutory nuisance provisions of the Act. However, the legislation is difficult to enforce because it can only be applied to frequent lighting of bonfires at premises. The lighting of a single bonfire cannot be controlled using this legislation.

Commercial bonfires are controlled by the Clean Air Act 1974. It is an offence to produce dark or black smoke from a bonfire at commercial premises.

I know what you mean about the dogs. There are non harmful and effective homeopathic remedies available for animals. My older dog doesn't like the noises from fireworks so she'll be on a Bachs Flower Water Remedy.

Lisa

 

[emmerson2]

Hi Lisa. I'm back on line after mega probs with the computer, which has now gone out of the window, and I've a brand new all-singing and dancing one!

Definately support a total ban on private sales. Firewoprks should only be sold direct from the manufacturer to bona fide licenced groups. We used to hold a bonfire party for the village in our paddock, but when the insurance went up to over

 

[sparkes]

HOLD ON

These are the only legal explosives I can get......!

Where else will I be.......

whoops, yes ban them NOW! for your own safty!

!!!

 

[parker1158]

Hi Lisa and all

I could write reams on this subject as I work in the firework industry (I run my own fireworks display business).

Before I get picked on to much can I stress my business is in public and private displays not loose firework sales and we as a company follow strict codes of operation with regard to safety and public awareness.

Just to clarify one point, the public can buy and use category one, two and three fireworks. Cat one are hand held, cat two 5m safety distance and cat three 25 metre safety distances.

I would agree with Lisa that a public display is by far and away the best option but people like their own fireworks (big boys toys and all that). On average around ten million people purchase seasonal fireworks. Shop bought fireworks are one of the biggest rip-off going (dependant on brand). I am led to believe they have the greatest retailer mark up second only to jewellery but I would stand corrected on this. The high street chain stores have brands made for them that are very poor in terms of effect and powder content, they are made to a price point and not for end product pleasure.

The BPA (British pyrotechnic association) of which I am a member have pushed hard for years to get the government to raise the age to 21 to handle fireworks, but they wont. The banning of public purchased fireworks may well come one day but at the moment like a lot of things they present a huge income for the government.

Another point of note, and Lisa may be able to clarify this, the biggest problem in terms of safety on bonfire night and cause of a majority of accidents is from the bonfires and not the fireworks.

 

[Longsufferingwifeoffouldsy]

I would definitely ban the sale of fireworks to the public. To be honest fireworks are so expensive I'm amazed that people still buy them to let off at home, the organized displays are generally safer and much better value for money.

I agree that the shops start to sell them far too early, and these days they just keep them in the shops and carry on selling them through for Christmas and New Year.

Bridget the fat whippet is not too bothered by them, but Molly the cat spends a great deal of time studying the area between the back of the settee and the wall at this time of year!

In addition it's unfortunate that Bonfire night is so close to the dreaded Halloween. Last year we had a firework thrown at our front door as a "trick".....wouldn't have been so angry had they actually knocked on the door in the first place to see if there was a "treat" available, but I guess that wouldn't have been half so entertaining for the little .........rascals!

 

[LMH]

Hi Martyn

Nice to hear from you. I did think about you before I made this posting.

'Out of control' bonfires do cause us problems more than accidents to people by fireworks. However, we do attend house fires caused by people pushing lighted fireworks through letterboxes. Postboxes are a popular target too. It is difficult for me to comment fully on injuries caused directly by fireworks (without researching this) as casualties would seek medical assistance and we would be out of the loop so to speak.

Lisa

 

[LMH]

Hi emmerson

Thought you'd been quiety lately. Thanks for your comments. Hope you are getting on ok with the new computer LOL!

'in our paddock' - lucky you!!

Lisa xxx

 

[Fubar]

Hi Lisa,

I take it from your last comment you are a firefighter? if so then total respect to you...

a favorite with the kids where my mum and dad stay is to light a bonfire in a field at the top of the street then, when the fire brigade turn up check fireworks at them. So now the police have to turn up too.

it is a joke that someone trying to perform their duties should be subjected to this kind of abuse, and the perpetrators never seem to be caught.

Mark (",)

 

[LMH]

Hi Brave-Fart

I work in the Fire Service, I'm not a firefighter, most of my role is around community safety.

I don't think fire crews are absued as much as paramedics, however in some areas we have to take two pumps to a one pump incident. One pump to deal with the incident and the other 'on guard' so to speak.

I do work quite closely with the police in my role, particulary in anti social behaviour and I can relate to what you have written.

Lisa

 

[parker1158]

I would imagine as far as the police are concerned trying to catch and prosecute some runt larking around with fireworks is low priority and it will take something more than the current legislations to curb the menace of misused fireworks. As I said above the age limit requires lifting to at least 21 and the police need to be more pro-active at this time of year and actually prosecute people. This might mean laying off motorists for a fortnight but I'm sure we could all live with that.

Another point to clarify, lets get the Guy Fawkes/ firework myth into perspective. Fireworks have been around for thousands of years they were merely adopted for bonfire night owing to the gunpowder connection

 

[LMH]

Hi Martyn

In our borough, the police are quite proactive at the moment regarding asb. However, it all comes down to resources and the police just don't have the 'manpower' to do this 365 days a year. A sorry state of affairs. Yes.

Raising the age limit to 21 is a fair comment. But my personal opinion is that the sale of fireworks to members of the public should be banned. Organised public displays should be the way forward.

Lisa

 

[Viking1]

Lisa

Yes let's ban them and only let them be use one night a year by people who now what they are do.

If they can not be banned then the law on the sale needs to be sorted.

Has it seem all you need to sell them is a glass top unit and a steel curbed and make it so they can only be used ONE night a year.

Mark

 

[rob_jax]

Why just one night? Many nationalities celebrate important events in their calendar with fireworks.

For instance Chinese New Year, and they did discover gun-powder after all. And Diwali, Ramzan-Id, etc, let alone music festivals and other events.

But quite agree that class 3 fireworks should not be sold to private people, and maybe you could argue that class 2 should be restricted as well.

Robert

 

[Fubar]

I think there is a problem raising the age limit to 21 - there is an assumption that every person over 21 is responsible, have common sense and are not a complete idiot.

wrong! that is why they should be banned for sale to the general public.

dont get me wrong, I like organised displays but it is my choice whether I go to one of them - I have no choice if my neighbour sets off fireworks, or someone throws one at you.

Mark (",)

 

[Viking1]

Rob-jax

In one way I can see what you are get at but it seem that there be pushed to be let off for just now reason at all.

We did not used to have firework on New Years Eve and till the year 2000 and saint then it seem that were get them let off moor and moor each year. One of the big supper markets are use hollow wee to sell firework when bon fire night is just round the corner and it the fire sever best night has well.

Mark

 

[LizCornwall]

Yes Ban fireworks, my poor dogs suffer. Not looking forward to the 5th. Liz

 

[Lol1]

I wouldn't like to give up my right to buy and use fireworks at the appropriate times, but I would if it meant the anti social S*%s that use and abuse them for months on end, couldn't get hold of them. Yes organized displays are the best option.

 

[ChrisB2]

Aren't fireworks explosives?Wasn,t Guy Fawkes tried for treason,why celebrate a terrorist act?i rest my case!

 

[LMH]

Hi

How do people with pets feel about fireworks?

Lisa

 

[Lol1]

My dog loves them, how he barks and howls all night long just because they are fun for him. At least, I think he loves them..........?