Fireworks

Did you know that it is illegal for anybody under the age of 18 to buy fireworks, there are even some fireworks which are not allowed to be sold to the general public because they require specialist handling and can be extremely dangerous if they are not handled properly.

You might think that young people are responsible enough to buy fireworks for themselves, in some cases the young people might be repsonsible enough but in a lot of cases they are used like a toy and have caused damage and pain to many people. Last year (2002) over 1000 people in England, Wales and Scotland had to be treated in hospitals because of injuries caused by fireworks during the bonfire night period.

You may have noticed that fireworks are not on sale at most shops throughout the year, only during the bonfire period. This is because most shops follow a Voluntary Code of Conduct which means that they will not sell fireworks apart from around the bonfire period, those who do sell them all year round are trying to make a profit at other peoples expense.

The most common type of accident from fireworks are because of sparklers, they are often forgotten about by many adults as a dangerous item, each packet of sparklers must carry the warning "not to be given to children under five years of age".

Did you know that you or one of your friends can be prosecuted just for throwing or discharging a firework in a public place, its dangerous and illegal!!!

For further information you can click here and visit the official website for Prevention of Accidents.

If you know of a shop which you think could be illegally selling products to young people you can report them confidentially on the free phone number 0800 093 5878.