Trading Standards warning issued following fireworks theft in Cambridge
Thursday, 29th October 2015.
Suffolk Trading Standards is urging the public to only buy fireworks from legitimate traders – fireworks should never be purchased from vehicles, market stalls or car boot sales.
This warning follows an incident in Cambridge where thieves stole a substantial amount of firework, worth nearly £100,000, from a store, near Huntingdon, used by top manufacturer and display firm, Kimbolton Fireworks. The thieves also stole three vans from a storage unit at Little Stukeley.
Shop keepers are reminded that they must have a licence to keep fireworks and should follow strict guidelines on safe storage and re-sale. This includes not selling to people under the age of 18. Firework retailers should also ensure that they purchase their stock from legitimate suppliers and should always ask for an official invoice. Retailers should be especially suspicious of any person who visits their premises unannounced, offering to sell fireworks in bulk at a large discount.
Whilst Suffolk residents are allowed to store fireworks at home, they must be stored safely and securely. The best place is in a closed, fire resistant storage cupboard, cabinet or container used solely for firework storage and labelled accordingly. Fireworks should never be stored under the stairs or in a place that will prevent safe access from the home.
For personal use, Trading Standards advises residents to delay buying fireworks until shortly before they are to be used, in order to reduce the risks from fire or explosion.
Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Sarah Stamp said: “We understand that fireworks are an essential part of Bonfire Night celebrations, but we should be mindful that they are dangerous explosives and cause many serious accidents every year – even sparklers, which many think of as fairly harmless, account for a significant number of injuries each year.
“I would urge anyone planning a display to check with Trading Standards to see if you will need a storage license, only buy fireworks from authorised retailers and for large events, please ensure both the Fire Service and Police are informed and first aid facilities provided.”
If any members of the public have information about fireworks being sold illegally, they should contact Trading Standards on: 03454 040506
This warning follows an incident in Cambridge where thieves stole a substantial amount of firework, worth nearly £100,000, from a store, near Huntingdon, used by top manufacturer and display firm, Kimbolton Fireworks. The thieves also stole three vans from a storage unit at Little Stukeley.
Shop keepers are reminded that they must have a licence to keep fireworks and should follow strict guidelines on safe storage and re-sale. This includes not selling to people under the age of 18. Firework retailers should also ensure that they purchase their stock from legitimate suppliers and should always ask for an official invoice. Retailers should be especially suspicious of any person who visits their premises unannounced, offering to sell fireworks in bulk at a large discount.
Whilst Suffolk residents are allowed to store fireworks at home, they must be stored safely and securely. The best place is in a closed, fire resistant storage cupboard, cabinet or container used solely for firework storage and labelled accordingly. Fireworks should never be stored under the stairs or in a place that will prevent safe access from the home.
For personal use, Trading Standards advises residents to delay buying fireworks until shortly before they are to be used, in order to reduce the risks from fire or explosion.
Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Sarah Stamp said: “We understand that fireworks are an essential part of Bonfire Night celebrations, but we should be mindful that they are dangerous explosives and cause many serious accidents every year – even sparklers, which many think of as fairly harmless, account for a significant number of injuries each year.
“I would urge anyone planning a display to check with Trading Standards to see if you will need a storage license, only buy fireworks from authorised retailers and for large events, please ensure both the Fire Service and Police are informed and first aid facilities provided.”
If any members of the public have information about fireworks being sold illegally, they should contact Trading Standards on: 03454 040506
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