Have fun and be safe on Guy Fawkes night

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Have fun and be safe on Guy Fawkes night

If you're going to a fireworks display this weekend or having your own in your back garden - remember the firework code. Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards have issued a reminder, read on to find out more.

Fireworks are potentially one of the most dangerous products available and should be handled with special care.

Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Service, the body responsible for enforcing legislation controlling the sale and safety of fireworks, is reminding people to have fun, but follow the firework code.

* Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
* Keep fireworks in a closed box
* Follow the instructions on each firework
* Light them at arms length, using a taper
* Stand well back
* Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode
* Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
* Always supervise children around fireworks
* Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves, and have a bucket of water nearby to put them in once used
* Never give sparklers to children under five
* Keep pets indoors
* Don't drink alcohol when handling and setting off fireworks

Trading Standards are also monitoring sales of fireworks and will prosecute any traders who break the rules. Roger Marles, Head of Trading Standards said: "It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. Trading Standards will be seeking out those traders who flout the law and will take action against them."

Last year the law on storage of fireworks changed so the Trading Standards Service is again visiting all firework retailers in the county in the run up to bonfire night to ensure that the products are stored safely and only sold to people who are over 18.

Retailers who need further advice on acceptable methods of storage should look the Trading Standards website www.tradingstandards.gov.uk or telephone 01452 426201.

Posted : 03/11/2006 22:24:14

PLEASE NOTE: This story has been archived and the information contained within it may no longer be correct.


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