Ahead of next weekend’s celebrations, Cardiff Council Trading Standards is warning people to be careful with fireworks, especially if they are considering holding their own displays to welcome in the New Year.
Over the last few months, officers have carried out a number of test purchase operations across Cardiff to help clamp down on unsafe fireworks and ensure they are not sold to anyone under the age of 18. A range of enforcement activities have also been conducted to stop anyone caught hawking, selling or offering for sale any fireworks in a public place.
Councillor Judith Woodman, Executive Member for Housing, Communities and Social Justice, said: “It is an offence to hawk, sell or offer for sale any fireworks in a public place. It’s as simple as that.
“The problem with hawked fireworks is that there’s no guarantee they are safe. There is no way of knowing how they’ve been stored, whether they are regulated or whether they are fit for purpose. For example, even British Standards (BS) and European Standard (EN) fireworks can become unsafe if they are not stored correctly. At the end of the day, fireworks are explosives which mean they can be unpredictable and volatile especially when they are messed with.
“Although I would strongly encourage people to attend an organised New Year’s Eve fireworks event as it’s usually safer and cheaper; if anyone is considering buying fireworks for the celebrations, please make sure they are purchased from licensed retailers only. If you experience or witness anyone trying to sell fireworks in a public place, please report the matter directly to our Trading Standards team on (029) 2087 2059.”
