Underage Sales

Protecting Children from Fireworks

Fireworks image

The Facts

The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 prohibit the supply of fireworks to persons under 18. This is to reduce the risk that anti social or inconsiderate use of fireworks will result in death, injury, alarm or distress to persons or animals and destruction of or damage to property. Those found guilty by magistrates can be fined up to £5,000 or receive a six month prison sentence.

Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards officers carry out tests using young volunteers (all aged under 16 and half years) to see if retailers do sell irresponsibly. The table below shows the results of these test purchases:

2004/2005 26 attempts 1 sale (4%)
2005/2006 13 attempts 2 sales (15%)
2006/2007 14 attempts 1 sale (7%)
2007/2008 0 attempts 0 sales (0%)

While the most current results have seen an increase in the percentage of sales, the vast majority of retailers continue to sell responsibly. Those in any doubt when making a sale must ask for photographic proof of age and if they are still unsure they should refuse the sale.

Trading Standards officers also check shops to make sure they are storing fireworks correctly and displaying the statutory warning notice i.e.

  • 'It is illegal to sell adult fireworks to anyone under the age of 18' and

  • 'It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess adult fireworks in a public place.'

Our results showed:

2004/2005 218 checks 34 not displaying 16%
2005/2006 150 checks 25 not displaying 17%
2006/2007 142 checks 43 not displaying 30%

What are we doing now:

  • actively seeking information from parents, schools, police, etc. as to which shops are selling to youngsters.

 

Further Reading

 

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