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Any shop in Suffolk selling fireworks is likely to be inspected this month to ensure adequate safety and compliance with the law.

The news comes after Suffolk County Council's Trading Standards officers praised shopkeepers for not selling illegal fireworks, or selling them to under 18s last year.

Trading Standards Officers are writing to all firework-sellers in advance of the inspections with guidance on selling and storing fireworks safely and correctly.

Sadly, each year officers find new cases of shops overstocking or storing fireworks unsafely, putting both the owners and the general public in danger.

During the last round of inspections, 20% of the 250 premises visited failed to comply with safety laws on firework storage. In five cases the conditions were so appalling that official warnings were issued. A small number were also keeping too many fireworks in the public area and four of these have also received official written warnings.

Peter Monk, member of Suffolk County Council's executive committee, said: "It is all too easy to forget that fireworks are powerful explosives and should be handled with care and caution.”

He went on to say that: “Officers are giving plenty of advice and warning to retailers in advance of the visits so there is no excuse for any problems found. Any breaches in safety endanger both the retailer and the public and we will take them very seriously."

Typical problems found during past inspections include: a lack of safety notices, matches, batteries and cigarette lighters being stored alongside fireworks. and fireworks being kept in unlocked cabinets which children could access.

They have also previously discovered fireworks being stored next to combustible material like paper and cigarettes.

Inspectors even visited one store where fireworks were stacked in boxes next to an electric bar fire.

Encouragingly though, last year's inspections showed no evidence of illegal or
unsafe fireworks being sold in Suffolk and no evidence of sales to
under-eighteens. Trading Standards have said that they hope this year shopkeepers
maintain their responsible attitudes to sales and this year's inspections
will result in the same clean bill of health.

All retailers should receive guidance on the safe storage of fireworks before the start of inspections in October. Any business needing further advice or wishing to pre-book a visit should contact Trading Standards on 01473 584368.