National Campaign for Firework Safety
Annual Report 2003

The National Campaign for Firework Safety goes into another Season with a legacy from last year of high injuries and a Government still not prepared to face up, and impose realistic legislation, which most people in the country are crying out for. The high injuries of 1017, those requiring hospital treatment.  The legislation everybody is calling for is a ban on retail sales, and only licensed, and approved, firework displays.

Many Safety Organisations, and others, that cannot or will not, recognise this is the only solution to the 'Firework Problem' are either cowardly in the extreme or are representing the interests of  the 100 or so Firework Companies, and their associated businesses which sell fireworks and would prefer to keep their heads down.

Last year, fireworks were the biggest item in over 200 MPs mailbags, and although some, in all areas of the country, are working very hard for a ban on retail sales and licensed displays, too many MPs just ignore the obvious and refuse to represent their constituents.

Anyone who has looked at the injury figures over the past 30 years, will see the same trends emerging year after year.  For instance, the highest number of injuries, last year and every year since records began, are at private back garden parties, the next greatest are in the street.  Yet nothing has been done.

Eye, Head, Hand, Arm injuries continue to dominate the types of injuries at 748, as they have done decade after decade.  The casualties detained in hospital numbered 205. Hundreds more were dealt with outpatients and GPs, and remain uncounted.

Hooliganism with fireworks has risen hugely, and although Police Chiefs continue to ask for support, through legislation banning shops sales, their pleas fall on deaf ears. 

Meanwhile a Labour MP has been successful with a Bill, similar to the one thrown out in 1997. We would have thought the very mild measures in the Bill would have gone through backed by everyone, as a stepping stone to a ban on retail sales. The Bill should have made compulsory the sales period which was a 4-week sales period from October 15 to a week after November 5. Of course, in reality it was a 3-month sales period.

A night time curfew on firework displays to 11pm is another feature.  This is important because late night firework displays and those in the early hours of the morning have become one of the central problems particularly back garden firework displays. Nobody thus far has the inclination to deal with this problem.  The Noise Teams of Local Authorities say they have no powers to stop late night firework displays. Police also say they too have no powers to stop firework displays.

The Bill has got through all the Commons Stages with the help of the Government, it was even taken apart by the Lords who do not want any firework reforms, period.  One Lord Lucas tabled Amendments to every Clause in his determination to destroy the Bill.

We hope this Bill will effectively deal with most problems of hooliganism and irresponsibility with fireworks in back gardens. People have a right to peace and tranquillity in their homes and back gardens. Firework enthusiasts can attend properly conducted and magnificent firework displays, put on by the professionals, in suitable areas.

Firework displays, which we have encouraged for more than thirty years, have mushroomed out of all proportion, as has the noise of category 4 fireworks.  This noise has affected animals as well as people. Sales outlets such as Leisure Centres and Garden Centres are now selling Fireworks as well as large stores specialising in firework sales of all kinds.

The campaign wants to see professionalism tempered with controls, our lax laws brought into the 21st century.  The Firework Industry, which has had a huge increase in firework sales through displays kindly encouraged by us, now do not want to see any controls on the sale of fireworks at local level. This has brought about problems locally as well as nationally. Those selling fireworks has grown, since the Millennium.  There are more than 100 such companies.  Not all belong to Firework Associations, which may be able to control them.

The Campaign calls for Firework Sales to be licensed from all points of sale. Firework Displays should be licensed by the Local Authorities so they can be controlled, by both loudness, timing and frequency.

NOEL TOBIN - DIRECTOR

NCFS was started in November 1969.

Noel Tobin has campaigned for firework safety for 30 years. He is married to Geraldine, and his normal job is as a Theatre Producer.  They have 2 children, and 2 Pets.