National Campaign for Firework Safety
Our aim is to promote the safe use of  fireworks
Fireworks Survey Statement by Noel Tobin, 14 October 2002
At a time when the Government and the firework industry are telling us of their concerns for the victims of firework accidents, and the Noise and Nuisance of fireworks, we show in Surveys published today how nothing has changed.

The first Survey shows that 361 Fireworks have been freely available on the Internet many in category 4 which are banned to the public. Many can be purchased for as little as £6-. They have tags on them, audacious tags, showing the industry's insensitivity with descriptions such as " The loudest meanest biggest air bombs. Loud thunderous reports how loud, LOUD." Another firework tag says, "guaranteed to stir the depths of hell, I can proudly say that this is the loudest bang we have. A 25 shot airbomb one after the other, enormous devastating bangs. We have been reported for it's noise"- BEWARE. Worst of all, "a 64 shot Sadam Hussein's dream come true". This is particularly insensitive at a time when our troops could be asked to risk their lives. One firework boasts of being heard 5 miles away. This is the firework industry getting away with murder.

The concerns from the firework industry are particularly hollow when we see an increase in firework injuries to people of 40%, one of the worst since the 1960s together with thousands of animal injuries, the Noise, Nuisance and suffering to the population and their pets. Last year was truly the worst year we have encountered since we began in 1969. Our second Survey shows the Noise, Nuisance and suffering in every part of the country.

Meanwhile the Firework industry, now confined to importers of fireworks from China,
Has been rushing around saying how pleased they are that the Government will not ban the retail sales of fireworks and license all displays. This is because they offered the carrot of a ban on airbombs in 2003. But only the companies allied to the British Pyrotechnists Association (BPA) and the Explosives Industry Group (EIG) precious few of the 90 companies belong to them. Meanwhile do nothing in 2002.
Not so in Northern Ireland, where every Constituency wanted a ban on firework sales , after only 4 years of the return of sales. They are already ahead of the UK with Licensed firework displays, and are happy with that. Last October the Security Minister, Jane Kennedy said she had had enough of the abuse and misuse of fireworks. She was backed by most MPs there. Four months later in February after a Review of the situation, she banned retail sales by licensing all fireworks except indoor fireworks.
We had encouraged her, and applaud her dynamism.

We have told the PM Mr Blair to show the same courage and protect the people and pets of the rest of the UK, who have suffered horribly, by licensing every firework, except indoor fireworks. By licensing firework displays, and setting up a national training scheme, for organised firework displays, to improve professionalism and skills at displays. Only licensing will sort out this issue, one of the most neglected, legislative wise (last legislation 1875) and make those applying for a license produce a proper training and licensing certificate. Otherwise we will never get on top of this issue.

NOEL TOBIN - DIRECTOR
14 October 2002

The Fireworks Surveys can be found on our website, under 'Surveys'