Norman Bettison, the Cheif constable of Merseyside, has spoken out in favour of banning fireworks. Although Kirkby Times has given him a bit of stick for the Hillsborough role he played, it has to be said that he is talking sense here. Merseyside Police and the Fire service have been deluged with call outs to incidents where fireworks are being used in a dangerous manner. However, the Police have it within their powers to apprehend youths or anyone else using fireworks in a dangerous manner. The maximum fine is a massive £5000. We also supposedly have voluntary schemes where fireworks are only sold 3 weeks before bonfire night and again in December before New Years Eve. Are shops really adhering to this? Even the Police admit that's it's only 'some' traders who stick to this guideline. A guideline is not a law. The problem we have in Kirkby and elsewhere is the people who sell these imported fireworks to kids. They are endangering the community in more ways than one. If one of these illegal firework shops catches fire, the damage would be severe. Storage of fireworks is governed by strict codes of practice and law and for a very good reason. Individuals, who think stocking up on a few hundred quid worth of miniature bombs to sell to local youth is a good earner, really ought to rethink the dangerous road to riches they are taking.

In the USA the use of fireworks by 'non-professionals' leads to a significant number of injuries each year, many of which go unreported. The "legal" status of amateur fireworks varies from state to state, but certain types of fireworks are clearly more dangerous than others. Nevertheless, even sparklers, which are often dismissed as having minimal risk, burn at 1800 degrees (hot enough to melt gold). Sparklers accounted for 10% of reported injuries in the USA in 1997

Firecrackers made up 32% of the injuries reported (with 42% of the injuries associated with nationally illegal firecrackers). Sky rockets, or bottle rockets, accounted for 15% of the injuries. These are largely eye injuries, with bottle rockets accounting for most of the 2000 eye injuries per year associated with fireworks usage.

Below - no apologies for including such a graphic picture - we ought to be well aware of what happens when fireworks are used recklessly. The photo shows an eye injury caused by a rocket.

China uses Primary School as Fireworks Sweatshop - 37 Kids killed.

Chief Constable Bettison will have seen hundreds of thousands of pounds diverted to tackling this problem. He will know the situation whereby our old folk are being terrororised. He will also know that the Police are being seriously hampered in their basic duty to protect the communities . Norman Bettison predicted that there could be a serious injury or even fatality caused by these fireworks but it's already happened. The dangers to those who actually make these fireworks are well documented on the internet, even primary schools are or were used as sweatshops - one blew up killing 37 pupils in China.(more here) The firework industry in China is not governed by the strict regulations UK workers adhere to. If we banned the commercial sale of fireworks, and stopped importation from China etc, the result may be a rejuvenated UK fireworks industry and a lesser danger to the poor Chinese employed in their hazardous and dubious industry. Either way, even if job losses are inevitable, it is sad but inevitable that a civilised Country would have to sacrifice jobs if it meant a more secure and safer environment. As Norman already knows - the Chinese are hard negotiators, and it is possible that the politicians may turn a blind eye to China and allow the UK to be flooded with cheap mass produced fireworks. So far, that's what has happened.

£5,000 fine for throwing fireworks in a Public Place - Anyone been nicked yet?

The fireworks issue was raised at a Community Forum in Prescott and Whiston Community Area forum on 22nd Oct 2002. All Below, until indicated, is taken from the minutes…..

Eddie O Hara - More Useless Petitions!

A member of the public referred to an issue raised with Eddie O'Hara MP relating to problems with fireworks. He informed the Forum of a petition that was in existence seeking a ban on the sale of fireworks except for organised events. He asked for information about the Local Authority and Police position on the sale of fireworks.

The "Good Guy Scheme" What happened to that one?

The Police representative Constable Andrews informed the Forum that some of the Local retailers had signed up to a scheme called the "Good Guy Scheme" which gave guidance on the sale of fireworks. The guidance covered the sale of fireworks to anyone under the age of 18, anyone under the influence of alcohol and sought the assistance of retailers in the area restricting the sale of fireworks to the three weeks period prior to the 5th November. He also reported on action being taken jointly with Trading Standards and young people in undertaking test purchases to ensure retailers are complying with the law. The Chairman asked that a report be brought back to the Forum on Council Policy in this area." (All above Taken from Knowsley Council website)

The Law on fireworks in brief

The actual fireworks we are talking about are basically bombs. They are imported from China and the Far East and over 50 containers full of these fireworks are entering the docks at Felixstone everyday. Where they go to then is apparently unknown, but a drive round the country lanes will see farmers selling fireworks, plus various commercial outlets for wholesale scattered here and there, maybe the yellow pages for all I know. The storage and sale of these explosive devices is strictly governed by UK law. Let's take a look at what the law says…………..

FACT: it is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under 18 years of age

FACT: the supply to the general public of certain powerful fireworks is banned, including:

aerial shells, aerial maroons, shells-in-mortar and maroons-in-mortar category 2 and category 3 bangers including flash-bangers, Chinese Crackers and fireworks with erratic flight all bangers and mini-rockets

FACT: the splitting of retail boxes is not permitted.

FACT: the size of certain fireworks such as Roman Candles is limited

FACT: packets of sparklers must carry a warning - "Not to be given to children under 5 years of age"

FACT: fireworks intended for public use must comply with BS7114* (see below) and be marked as such

FACT: all fireworks not suitable (as defined in the Regulations) for use by the general public must bear a warning to that effect.

The maximum penalty for selling fireworks to persons apparently under the age of 18, and for throwing or discharging a firework in a street or public place is now a £5,000 fine. (note - as I write or type this report - I have counted at least 200 -300+ explosions in Kirkby)

*From above - BS7114 classifies fireworks into three specific categories considered suitable for use by the general public and a fourth category suitable only for professional users…..

Category 1 fireworks are suitable for use inside domestic buildings.

Category 2 fireworks are for outdoor use in relatively confined areas.

Category 3 fireworks are for use in large outdoor spaces.

Category 4 is not intended for sale to the general public.

In the space of only one week - from 28 July to 4 August 2003 - there were four reported explosions in fireworks factories in various parts of China leading to the deaths of at least 31 people.

Note - Kirkby Times has received emails from firework enthusiasts in the UK, there are several website (use google) out there which show that fireworks can be used safely.