I wondered what others thought on here about the sale of fireworks to the general public.
I work in a supermarket environment where Health and Safety is the no 1 priority for the company. High viz jackets have to be worn at all times and there are a lot of things an employee cannot do, as the Health and Safety laws are very strict.
So I was rather suprised to see fireworks being openly sold at this very same supermarket that openly supports Health and Safety in the workplace, but that same health and safety ethos seems to not apply when selling a very dangerous item to the general public for a tidy profit.
I would like to see a ban on fireworks sold to members of the public as I believe they are too dangerous. I know it is about freedom of choice but if you go to a self service till at a supermarket now you will be flagged if you was buying any one of over 200 items on sale such as hair sprays, knives, and deodorants. You would have to be checked to see you are of the correct age to buy a hairspray, yet as long as you are 18 you can buy explosive fireworks to let off in your back garden with zero supervision, and then let them off without any knowledge of these things. Every year we see fireworks being let off on the streets and certainly not by 18 year olds. Young children seem to be able to get their hands on them and then let them off terrifying the elderly and animals as it seems they are letting them off sometimes two weeks before bonfire night. The stopping of sales to the general public will also stop this huge anti social behaviour as well.
Is this right ?
Join the most popular community of UK swingers now
Login
Ban on sale of fireworks?
Should the sale of fireworks be banned from general sale?
Basically NO, but I would not want to see a total ban on them for the public.
Organised events are often errrr organised by people who would be classed as general public not having any affiliation to an organisation, would a pub landlord for example be classed as general public or organiser, what proof would he need to show that he was organising an event.
I think those that do organise events should have laws/rules governing them, Health and Fire safety precautions being paramount, designated areas for displays to be set up and designated areas for spectators. A qualification in the use of fireworks.
Many of the fireworks bought daily have more charges (gunpowder or whatever) than hand grenades, the difference being that they are packed in cardboard not fragmentable metal, but that can quickly change when people store them or tamper with thier make-up.
There are many dangerous products around but none so widely bought and used by children, your right, someone is selling them to minors, a lot of people are.
Fireworks are fun, but they are also weapons, we have always been warned that a car can be a weapon when misused or used incompetently, for that reason they are licensed and controlled, fireworks should be treated in the same way.
There are many companies around who come under the category of "event organisers" perhaps the ability for them to employ trained firework co-ordinators/overseaers would create more safety and more jobs.
Event Organisers employ DJ's for special events, car park attendants, security staff, etc why shouldn't they also employ someone to take care of the firework displays.
Fireworks are fun, beautifull, spectacular and a great way of creating a special show, banning them altogether would be a great shame, but easing the dangers, injuries and general downside of thier sale would be a good thing
Organised events are often errrr organised by people who would be classed as general public not having any affiliation to an organisation, would a pub landlord for example be classed as general public or organiser, what proof would he need to show that he was organising an event.
I think those that do organise events should have laws/rules governing them, Health and Fire safety precautions being paramount, designated areas for displays to be set up and designated areas for spectators. A qualification in the use of fireworks.
Many of the fireworks bought daily have more charges (gunpowder or whatever) than hand grenades, the difference being that they are packed in cardboard not fragmentable metal, but that can quickly change when people store them or tamper with thier make-up.
There are many dangerous products around but none so widely bought and used by children, your right, someone is selling them to minors, a lot of people are.
Fireworks are fun, but they are also weapons, we have always been warned that a car can be a weapon when misused or used incompetently, for that reason they are licensed and controlled, fireworks should be treated in the same way.
There are many companies around who come under the category of "event organisers" perhaps the ability for them to employ trained firework co-ordinators/overseaers would create more safety and more jobs.
Event Organisers employ DJ's for special events, car park attendants, security staff, etc why shouldn't they also employ someone to take care of the firework displays.
Fireworks are fun, beautifull, spectacular and a great way of creating a special show, banning them altogether would be a great shame, but easing the dangers, injuries and general downside of thier sale would be a good thing
Sex God
Ban em....
Sex God
I hate fireworks and always remember walking the streets (oooh i just read that back ... i wasn't a hooker honest) with friends as a teenager and having bangers thrown at us by teenage lads who thought it was cool. I'm sure this still happens now. It used to scare the shit out of me! When my dad was young, one of his friends lost an eye from the same thing.
We all love to "oooooooh" and "ahhhhhhh" at an organised event but there should be strict laws regarding the sale and use of them. They should not be available to buy at the local Tesco (or other supermarket) and they should definitely not be available to buy in corner shops!!
We all love to "oooooooh" and "ahhhhhhh" at an organised event but there should be strict laws regarding the sale and use of them. They should not be available to buy at the local Tesco (or other supermarket) and they should definitely not be available to buy in corner shops!!
The sale of Fireworks are banned in Ireland, although they are widely used at Halloween and on New Years Eve.
The sale of fireworks is restricted in the Republic of Ireland, though many illegal fireworks are sold throughout October or smuggled over the Northern Ireland border. There is a €10,000 fine for possessing them, or a five year prison sentence.
I've yet to witness a headline in the press stating that someone has had the above law applied for the possession of fireworks.
I used to work for the " Finest Toyshop in the World " in London and I remember the build up to the 5th of November and the purchasing of "Standard Fireworks" was planned months in advance.
It's a tradition - Guy Fawkes - 5th of November - banning them would in essence be removing part of your history.
I do agree with Dean's post.
Paddy
The sale of fireworks is restricted in the Republic of Ireland, though many illegal fireworks are sold throughout October or smuggled over the Northern Ireland border. There is a €10,000 fine for possessing them, or a five year prison sentence.
I've yet to witness a headline in the press stating that someone has had the above law applied for the possession of fireworks.
I used to work for the " Finest Toyshop in the World " in London and I remember the build up to the 5th of November and the purchasing of "Standard Fireworks" was planned months in advance.
It's a tradition - Guy Fawkes - 5th of November - banning them would in essence be removing part of your history.
I do agree with Dean's post.
Paddy
If I had to say one way or the other, I'd ban them. But thats because when I was a teenager my brother taught me to trow them once we'd set them alite 
More importantly, I don't know why would want to buy them
We took our extended family to an event on Saturday, there was seven of us and it cost me £28 for a 15 minute amazing display. I'd have to pay that much to get a tiny box which would have been a bit of a let down.
More importantly, I don't know why would want to buy them
We took our extended family to an event on Saturday, there was seven of us and it cost me £28 for a 15 minute amazing display. I'd have to pay that much to get a tiny box which would have been a bit of a let down.
Quote by MidsCouple24
Organised events are often errrr organised by people who would be classed as general public not having any affiliation to an organisation, would a pub landlord for example be classed as general public or organiser, what proof would he need to show that he was organising an event.
Maybe for you Mids I should have been a bit more specific. Organised events as far as I am aware would have to be granted a license from that local council. Organised events are events where people are charged an entry fee and so are run by the councils strict guidelines.
I do not think a pub landlord would be granted a license by the council, to let off a few fireworks in his pubs garden. :doh: I was talking about the ' general public' being a person who can walk in off the street and buy fireworks to let off in his little back garden in suburbia, where his next door neighbours house is two foot away from his.
Quote by MidsCouple24
I think those that do organise events should have laws/rules governing them, Health and Fire safety precautions being paramount, designated areas for displays to be set up and designated areas for spectators. A qualification in the use of fireworks.
They do already and very strict ones too. My whole point is that a person off the street has no knowledge of setting up fireworks PROPERLY, and so with that in mind are a danger to not only those who light them, but those standing within a few feet of one going off. A organised event is done properly if it is indeed run by the local councils.
I do not buy the excuse of by banning them, will then leads to black market fireworks being brought. Organised displays should be encouraged more and the safety element is surely paramount in this? How can it be safe to let fireworks off in a poky little back garden within a closely housed area??? There is and was no way on earth that my kids would ever have gone to a ' house party ' where letting off fireworks was going to happen.
Sex God
I don't think there should be a total ban, as Paddy said it's part of our history.
We went to an organised event on Saturday night at Himley, it was great and well
worth the £8 entrance fee.(even though it took us over an hour to get off the car park)
We went to an organised event on Saturday night at Himley, it was great and well
worth the £8 entrance fee.(even though it took us over an hour to get off the car park)
Sex God
Aside from the dangers to humans let's not forget that animals are mostly scared shitless by them (there are always exceptions and some aren't bothered).....
I hated going to work last night and leaving my little,very young, rabbit at home with all the yobs letting them off in the streets...
Ban em...
I hated going to work last night and leaving my little,very young, rabbit at home with all the yobs letting them off in the streets...
Ban em...
Quote by Bambi
I don't think there should be a total ban, as Paddy said it's part of our history.
History? What that a medieval ' terrorist ' tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the King? If that happened today we would not be celebrating, but sending them to prison. Remember Guy Fawkes every 5 November gets thrown onto a bonfire....celebrate? Some parts of our history does not need celebrating. it was a PLOT to kill I think it was King James 1st?
Quote by Bambi
We went to an organised event on Saturday night at Himley, it was great and well
worth the £8 entrance fee.(even though it took us over an hour to get off the car park)
And more importantly than all of your comment above, it was as safe as could be. In fact much more safer than doing it at home and that is the whole point.:thumbup:
Sex God
I'm generally opposed to anything smacks too much of the fun police but I see no reason why members of the public need or should be permitted to posess explosives, which is what we're talking about here. There are about 1000 injuries to children every year caused by fireworks in public hands, ( ) the trauma caused to animals who simply cannot escape or understand the noise is extreme. I've seen it in my own animals. It disturbs me when yobs are lighting the bleedin' things at all hours ( and I mean ALL hours ) for weeks on end. One night I'd live with, but a couple of months of it? Piss. Off. You. Little. Scrotes. 
I can't understand why anyone buys them anyways? £30 quid or so minimum for a box of coloured gas which is about all you get these days cos I believe they've been made less powerful than in former times, some sort of 'elf 'n' safety gone maaaaad thing or summink but surely most places have free displays knock anything you could buy into a cocked hat and then some that are just as much a family / social experience, if not more so. Ban 'em, no problem with it.
I can't understand why anyone buys them anyways? £30 quid or so minimum for a box of coloured gas which is about all you get these days cos I believe they've been made less powerful than in former times, some sort of 'elf 'n' safety gone maaaaad thing or summink but surely most places have free displays knock anything you could buy into a cocked hat and then some that are just as much a family / social experience, if not more so. Ban 'em, no problem with it.
Quote by neilinleeds
I'm generally opposed to anything smacks too much of the fun police but I see no reason why members of the public need or should be permitted to posess explosives, which is what we're talking about here. There are about 1000 injuries to children every year caused by fireworks in public hands, ( Source ) the trauma caused to animals who simply cannot escape or understand the noise is extreme. I've seen it in my own animals. It disturbs me when yobs are lighting the bleedin' things at all hours ( and I mean ALL hours ) for weeks on end. One night I'd live with, but a couple of months of it? Piss. Off. You. Little. Scrotes.
I can't understand why anyone buys them anyways? £30 quid or so minimum for a box of coloured gas which is about all you get these days cos I believe they've been made less powerful than in former times, some sort of 'elf 'n' safety gone maaaaad thing or summink but surely most places have free displays knock anything you could buy into a cocked hat and then some that are just as much a family / social experience, if not more so. Ban 'em, no problem with it.
Agreed Neil.
For me I just simply cannot understand the logic as to why a person would spend a minimum of 30 quid on a small box of naff fireworks, then let them off in their tiny garden where children are so close. Why not spend less than that 30 quid on going to a properly organised display, where the fireworks will be of such a higher quality, and everyone is safe. I simply cannot understand the logic of this, but then again these same people are no doubt the same people who go to a McDonald's and uses the drive through to eat it in their car and then throw the rubbish on the floor and drive off.
Is it really too much of a hardship for people to actually get to an organised display and back home again? I also found your source on injuries distressing.
I would rather spend the 30£ on a fine bottle of whiskey or 2 bottles of nice wine, sit in my warm apartment and watch the display on telly perfectly safe and sound.
But then again i hate crowds and i am paranoid ... last time i held anything remotely explosive in my hands, in my mind i saw about 1000 ways how it could go horribly wrong for me and my friends so i just gave up on the whole explosives things.
God bless HD TVs.
But then again i hate crowds and i am paranoid ... last time i held anything remotely explosive in my hands, in my mind i saw about 1000 ways how it could go horribly wrong for me and my friends so i just gave up on the whole explosives things.
God bless HD TVs.
Sex God
Why not spend less than that 30 quid on going to a properly organised display, where the fireworks will be of such a higher quality, and everyone is safe.
We have a bit of a park right at the top of my street Star. It's more a big dog toilet than a park as such but there was a small cluster there last night, 2 or 3 adults and 2 or 3 kids lighting their fireworks as I went past. The disappointment of the kids as a reddish glow that no doubt cost the best part of a fiver hissed away for 20 seconds or so before going out was audible as I walked past, a kind of is that it sigh. You could almost hear the adults muttering under their breath. Meanwhile, not three quarters of a mile away one of the best displays you'll see at Middleton park was due to start, audience one side of the boating lake, fireworks booming off from the other. Cost of however many calories it takes to walk there, or an off-peak bus ticket for a family travelling less than a mile. Madness!
Did you know the latest statistics (ROSPA) indicate that 30,000 children aged 0-4 are injured in burn/scald accidents in the UK in a year? And only about 7 of them involved fireworks?
I think hot beverages should be banned in any home with toddlers.
Now stop pretending this is an elf n saferty issue.
I think hot beverages should be banned in any home with toddlers.
Now stop pretending this is an elf n saferty issue.
Sex God
I'm not trying to be argumentative cos i loves you ... but It isn't 0-4 year olds that get hold of them illegally and play with them in the streets Ben.
Sex God
Did you know the latest statistics (ROSPA) indicate that 30,000 children aged 0-4 are injured in burn/scald accidents in the UK in a year? And only about 7 of them involved fireworks?
I'd be interested in your source there Ben. Here are , which is when the DTI stopped counting specifically I believe Ben. Govt / ROSPA / whoever has somehow managed a drop from ~1000 / year to 7? An amazing feat, if true?
You're being a bit disingenous with the comparison here. You're not gonna get far without heat sources and hot fluids in the home, are you? There are bound to be accidents involving young children with the best will in the world. Fireworks in the hands of the irresponsible users who seem to form the majority here though serve no purpose or useful function whatsoever. Noone's 'pretending' this is purely a health and safety issue, though that's one consideration. Their misuse is an assault on the quality of life of humans and animals alike. As explosives capable of great injury and great disturbance they should be available only to licenced users from licenced outlets .
Quote by Funlovers2009
I'm not trying to be argumentative cos i loves you ... but It isn't 0-4 year olds that get hold of them illegally and play with them in the streets Ben.
Exactly right funlovers. I am not talking either about 0-4 year olds, I am talking about children between the ages of 9 and 16.
Maybe Ben should have a look at this link.
' Over 550 children under 16 are taken to A&E in the four weeks surrounding bonfire night alone '. I was not aware that 0-4 year olds were causing a nuisance on our streets either
Quote by Ben_Minx
I think hot beverages should be banned in any home with toddlers.
If parents were of a more responsible manner I am sure accidents at home would be cut. Accidents in the home can be avoided on many occasions, it is just human nature to forget.
As you see hot drinks as a major concern in a home, are you aware that there are even greater dangers in the home for toddlers Ben? Number one death for toddlers is falls. Shall we take the stairs away in the house Ben? Number two is Poisoning. Do parents then lock away every dangerous chemical in the house? Number 3 is fires and burns. Are you aware of how many children are killed or seriously injured through water Ben? In other words drowning. What about airway obstructions? This alone causes over 1000 children to die each year.
Accidents happen and most with a little thought can be avoided, but I fail to see your point.
Quote by Ben_Minx
Now stop pretending this is an elf n saferty issue.
Who is pretending? I for one never said this, what I did say is that health and safety is a major concern for employers and it is there for a reason in many cases. So I am amazed that explosives are openly sold in our high streets and supermarkets to many people who have had no training at all in the use of them.
Understanding Ben - which is not an easy task I have to say, and his cryptic posts leads me to believe that there was an air of mischief in his comments which were not intended to be read factually.
But I see where he is coming from if I read him right. As most flue in its most dangerous strain is transported in airborne particles perhaps we should ban the very air we breathe. Absurd of course but it would certainly cut deaths from flu!
I'd ban fireworks but I think the practicalities of doing so would just drive an underground market to prominence. A bit like firearms actually. They're all but banned (except to licensed people) but still available in frightening quantity to others if you know where to get them.
But I see where he is coming from if I read him right. As most flue in its most dangerous strain is transported in airborne particles perhaps we should ban the very air we breathe. Absurd of course but it would certainly cut deaths from flu!
I'd ban fireworks but I think the practicalities of doing so would just drive an underground market to prominence. A bit like firearms actually. They're all but banned (except to licensed people) but still available in frightening quantity to others if you know where to get them.
Quote by Ben_Minx
The sale of fireworks is already regulated, that of step ladders not at all.
Exactly what some people are saying, ladders can be dangerous but not regulated, children can buy them anytime they want, as they can many other unregulated items that can be dangerous, yet not many children buy ladders, Fireworks are regulated yet lot's of children still get to buy them, thankyou for supporting the point
Quote by GnV
But I see where he is coming from if I read him right.
If GnV? What your not sure? I am not into cryptic clues and riddles. I took it as read as I do not know this poster at all, but just answer the question is always a good way to debate. :thumbup:
Quote by GnV
As most flue in its most dangerous strain is transported in airborne particles perhaps we should ban the very air we breathe. Absurd of course but it would certainly cut deaths from flu!
Absurd indeed.
Quote by GnV
I'd ban fireworks but I think the practicalities of doing so would just drive an underground market to prominence. A bit like firearms actually. They're all but banned (except to licensed people) but still frighteningly available in quantity if you know where to get them.
An underground market? Why? For what purpose? This problem with regards to the letting off of fireworks on our streets sometimes weeks before the event, is invariably done by adolescents. Are you telling me that there will be an underground network of people selling fireworks to children in some underground marketing ploy? What really?
If they are banned people will after a couple of years do one of two things. Either don't bother with any fireworks or go to a display. Your Mr Average family is not going to go to a secret location to buy underhanded fireworks illegally. I have not heard anything so silly since well.....Ben's comments. :grin:
Quote by starlightcouple
Organised events are often errrr organised by people who would be classed as general public not having any affiliation to an organisation, would a pub landlord for example be classed as general public or organiser, what proof would he need to show that he was organising an event.
Maybe for you Mids I should have been a bit more specific. Organised events as far as I am aware would have to be granted a license from that local council. Organised events are events where people are charged an entry fee and so are run by the councils strict guidelines.
I do not think a pub landlord would be granted a license by the council, to let off a few fireworks in his pubs garden. :doh: I was talking about the ' general public' being a person who can walk in off the street and buy fireworks to let off in his little back garden in suburbia, where his next door neighbours house is two foot away from his.
Quote by MidsCouple24
I think those that do organise events should have laws/rules governing them, Health and Fire safety precautions being paramount, designated areas for displays to be set up and designated areas for spectators. A qualification in the use of fireworks.
They do already and very strict ones too. My whole point is that a person off the street has no knowledge of setting up fireworks PROPERLY, and so with that in mind are a danger to not only those who light them, but those standing within a few feet of one going off. A organised event is done properly if it is indeed run by the local councils.
I do not buy the excuse of by banning them, will then leads to black market fireworks being brought. Organised displays should be encouraged more and the safety element is surely paramount in this? How can it be safe to let fireworks off in a poky little back garden within a closely housed area??? There is and was no way on earth that my kids would ever have gone to a ' house party ' where letting off fireworks was going to happen.
And that is where the problem arises, what is an organised event ? who is going to decide what is an organised event, the Council, do they have the resources to look into every application ? pubs, clubs, Boy Scouts group, old folks homes, childrens hospitals, fire brigade are organisations I have seen put on events, which is capable which isn't, they would need to look at each one individually because if they follow the regulations with adequate safety precautions there is no reason why any of them should not be granted a licence and no reason why any of them should be just because they are the Fire Brigade or Boy Scouts, all need the right staff trained in the right way, it's not enough to be capable of putting out a fire it's the ability to prevent one in the first place, they need a co-ordinater trained in pyrotechnics, St Johns Ambulance in sufficient numbers for those attending, designated emergency areas and much more. You say a pub cannot put on an organised event, yet with those implementations made they actually could
