National Campaign for Firework Safety
Our aim is to promote the safe use of  fireworks
Press release February 27 2003, from National Campaign for Firework Safety

On Friday February 28 2003, Parliament will begin a second reading of Bill Tynan's Control of Fireworks Bill.  It promises to deal with the subject that has made MP's postbag bulge for years. Fireworks.

Mr Noel Tobin, Director, of National Campaign for Firework Safety said, "There is a lot of expectation on the Bill.  We offer Bill Tynan and his team our continuing support, throughout the next few months as this bill attempts to become law.  Unfortunately fireworks are out of control, and to put the matter right, will take a lot of effort, courage and endeavour."

"There are four crucial areas the bill must concentrate on.  These are, Availability, Noise, Firework Abuse, and Training. 

"Fireworks are available to the general public all year round.  It has been the tradition for Guy Fawkes night alone to be celebrated by fireworks.  Let us keep to that period only.  Guy Fawkes night is a special night, celebrated by the vast majority, let us keep it that way."

The National Campaign for Firework Safety was founded in 1969 after the UK firework injuries spiralled upwards.  The latest injury figures for 2001 were the worst for three decades when they reached 1362, a 40% increase on the previous years total.

Mr Tobin mentions the recent RSPCA report on fireworks, "Quiet Please, loud fireworks frighten animals".  The RSPCA have gone for a maximum noise level of 95 dB(A)I.  The Firework Industry are hoping for 120 dB.  But the World Health Organisation has declared that 120dB(A)I, is the maximum for a child's hearing, any higher will lead to a damaging of the child's hearing.

"The WHO has decreed 120dB(A)I as the maximum, so we must go for a lower level, to give us a margin of error.  The noise from fireworks is so loud that it has become an issue.  Since we cannot determine who will be affected by hearing loud fireworks, we must take the safest course, and go for a 95dB(A)I maximum." Mr Tobin said.

The Control of Fireworks Bill is to be enabling bill, in which a series of measures will be set out.  One of those measures will have regard to training. 

"The current trend is towards people going to a Firework Display, instead of having their own.  Just who carries out these firework displays needs to be clarified.  Dr Tom Smith, head of training at the Explosive Industry Group, should be put in charge of instituting a quality firework training programme", said Mr Tobin, "Today's fireworks need a lot of technical expertise.  We know the EIG has a firework training programme on the blocks ready to go, so it seems natural to give the job to Dr Smith."

The Health and Safety Executive have been reviewing the laws governing the manufacture and storage of explosives.  It is under these regulations that fireworks are stored.  The regulations, at present, mean anyone may apply to buy and sell fireworks providing they meet with certain storage conditions.  If the licence holder proves to be unsuitable, in the way he sells his fireworks, that storage licence cannot be withdrawn. 

The other characteristic of the old rules is the amount of fireworks a person may have in his possession.  Under these rules someone could have an unlimited amount of fireworks in their house, for up to fourteen days.  The HSE now want to up-date this rule by limiting the amount of explosives stored to 200kg gross of shop goods fireworks, for a maximum of 21 days.

"It is time for proper enforceable laws to be made, so we can bring firework abuse to an end," said Mr Tobin, "Give the local authorities laws so they can take positive action very quickly to stamp out firework abuse.  It seems ludicrous that when firefighters are carrying out their duties they should be pelted with fireworks.  Police cars were attacked by fireworks, and yet no one seems to be charged with any offences.  By limiting the sales period to a few days will offer some sort of respite to the embattled emergency services."

Just last year there were disturbing reports of fireworks being fired at aeroplanes either coming in to land or taking off.  Youths on the tops of multi-storey buildings firing fireworks at each other.  Cars also have been targeted, and in Bulwell, Nottingham a police squad car was torched.

Chris Case, a Station Commander, Merseyside Fire Service,  runs a 'Good Guy' scheme in his area.  The scheme works with the cooperation of many local agencies.  When someone has been identified as carrying out firework abuse, the 'Good Guy' scheme swings into action.  The child is then asked to explain his actions, and would he approve of those actions if they were targeted against his family, and their families' pets.  The child's parents are informed, so are his school teachers as well as the Police.  He is told that his actions could cause him to be fined £5,000.  The worst abuse is often on council run housing estates, and if the perpetrator lives in a council house then he is told his family could be thrown out of their house by breaking the council's Anti Social regulations.

The 'Good Guy' scheme covers all aspects of fireworks abuse, including those selling fireworks from houses.

Mr Peter Wilson, Northern Organiser for the National campaign for Firework safety, said, "This last year has seen the Campaign overwhelmed by letters asking for help.  There is an anger in the mood of the public.  Fireworks impact on our quality of life.  People don't mind fireworks on Guy Fawkes night.  That is part of our tradition.  They are just fed up, with the never ending bang bang bang of fireworks, all day and night.  Nobody listens to their complaints, the police just does not have the manpower to handle the problem of late night firers. So there is a widespread feeling that no one is listening to them."

Mr Wilson was present at the recent Fireworks seminar at RAF Cosford, where many of those participating came from local authorities.  "There are many in Local Government who fully understand the problems  fireworks bring.  All they want is help from the Government, to give them clear and enforceable laws." said Mr Wilson.

Teresa Kulkarni, of Kings Lynn, Norfolk has a petition on fireworks.  It has now reached over 50,000 signatures and is due to close at the end of March.  This is one of many petitions going on up and down the country.  Two petitions were handed into parliament today.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has a website firework petition, available on www.guidedogs.org.uk/fireworks.  The Association has acted after Guide Dogs were being retired early because they cannot handle the noise of fireworks.  They also organised a mass lobby of Parliament on the day prior to the bill being read.

In 1997 Linda Gilroy attempted to bring a very similar bill through parliament.  On that occasion the bill was not backed by the government, but Bill Tynan's bill has been assured government time and backing.  One of the main problems regarding the passage of Linda Gilroy's bill was the amount of power to be given to the Secretary of State.

"Fireworks at the right time are entertainment," said Mr Tobin, "It is about time fireworks changed from being noisy to being fun again."
The recent firework incident in America claimed 96 lives, when a firework display went disastrously wrong in a night club.