Annual firework safety campaign launched

Monday, 18 October 2004 12:00 AM

With Bonfire Night only a few weeks away, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have launched their annual campaign to promote firework safety.

Aside from the injuries caused by fireworks, the Government is also focusing on antisocial behaviour elements.

The campaign, entitled "Think of the Consequences" will be aimed at men and older teenage boys - who are most likely to be responsible for fireworks at private parties - through a series of advertisements on beer mats and washroom posters as well as radio and magazine advertising.

Last year over 1000 people were treated in A&E during the firework season, with the biggest increase being in injuries sustained at private parties.

Though the campaign will be run nationally, there will be a particular emphasis on areas identified as accident "hot spots" by the DIT, these are mainly northern cities such as Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.

Consumer Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "Fireworks are fun when used properly, but evidence shows that people can and do forget to follow the basic safety rules, particularly if they are fairly used to letting off fireworks.

"If people do become complacent, the results can be disastrous - so we are urging them to think of the consequences before someone is seriously injured. It is important to remember to be safe - not sorry."

This year will be the first November 5th to operate under the Fireworks Act 2003, which introduced a ban on under 18s possessing fireworks (excluding items like sparklers) in public places, a curfew on the hours that fireworks can be set off and a maximum noise limit for fireworks that can be sold to the public.

Under the rules, fireworks can not be set off between 2300 and 0700, except on Bonfire Night, Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year's Eve.

Any breach of the regulations can be met by an on the spot fine from the police.

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