General Chat

I think the time has come for sales to the general public to be banned altogether. The government introduced new legislation in 2004 which was supposed to solve all the problems with fireworks, but I don't think is had that much effect, in common with most of their recent legislation. Firework Legislation * Since August 7th 2004, it's been a criminal offence to let off fireworks between 11pm and 7am and anyone breaking the curfew risks a fine of up to £5,000 or six months imprisonment. * The curfew applies for 361 nights of the year but the legislation has identified four occasions as 'permitted firework nights', which extend the hours of firework use. These are Bonfire Night (when there's an extension until midnight), Diwali Day (which has an extension until 1am), New Year's Eve (1am) and Chinese New Year (1am). * Other new legislation introduced this year makes it an offence for anyone under 18 to be in possession of fireworks in a public place and the police have new powers to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone breaking the law. * The legislation also covers the sale of noisy fireworks: it's now illegal to sell fireworks that are louder than 120 decibels. * Further regulations will be introduced in the New Year. From January 1st, fireworks will only be on general sale between October 15th and November 10th and for short periods around New Year, Chinese New Year and Diwali. Suppliers who want to sell fireworks outside these periods will need to apply for a licence from the city council. * Tighter controls on the import of fireworks will also be introduced.

Yes. Fireworks are getting bigger and more powerful, people are getting more irresponsible. No question!

Margaret my Bro in Laws G ?Daughter Deals in Fireworks we do not approve but she is getting out of it which we are v Glad. Junex.

My daughter is our local newsagent. The police called on her a week or so ago and asked if she stocked fireworks. I suppose they were going to remind her of the law. She doesn't stock them and told them she never would and doesn't believe they should be sold to the general public. The police said that they wished there were more shopkeepers like her. Most are only thinking of the profit. Margaret

Lisa if they are properly organised but for fire work night only! it,s not fair the poor animals wild life and vulnerable people. June x

Yes I think they should be banned. They shoud definitely NOT be on general sale, as in reality people who buy them are not ALL responsible. They shoudl be supplied to licensed organiser only and take this danger off our streets for good. After all, they are explosives!

I used to take 999s at BT. The calls around 5th Nov put me off buying them for me and mine. Organised displays are the way to go. No shop sales whatsoever Sorry to spoil some peoples fun Caz PLEASE PLEASE be careful

took the kids to an organised display by the local firemen 3 or 4 years ago, what a joke!!! they had great big display ones, some were huge round things, so they lit them and what happened!!!!!!!! one tipped over cos they didn`t bury it and every thing shot out to all the kids,luckily my son was well wrapped up cos he got hit in the back and it only singed his jumper but some kids had there trakkie bottoms melted and burns. it was a nightmare. i would rather set them off in the garden, my kids are now 13 and the baby is 12 tomorrow and they watch from the window. ihave already said this on a thread a few days ago if you set them off in your own garden you are looking out for your own families safety !!! sharon(who will never go to an organised display again) sorry to waffle

YES YES YES!!!!! Hi Lisa Nicky.x

Yes I think they should be banned, my brother spent months in hospital when he was 17 after several boxes of bangers were ignighted in his pocket by a passer by who was holding a sparkler.....Public displays are much safer.

I think they should not be available for the general public to buy. Only properly organised events should go ahead, and these should have a licence. Some neighbours of ours have their own party on a common piece of land, and charge all their friends £50 to come. They must have 100 people there, in a very small area, and all the money is spent on huge fireworks. It isn't safe, and many elderly people are very frightened by it, and it goes on very late. Fireworks seem to be much more powerful now, than when I was a child - unless I'm just becoming a boring old fogey!! Sharon xx

I would say yes - but at a time when the Government are quick to ban anything and everything - no There needs to be stricter regulations though.

we have always gone to displays. it is cheaper for us. this year we will be taking my grandson for his first fire work display. i am looking forward to it. when we get home we will have jackets spuds, soup and hotdogs. my kids always enjoyed this time of year. we find going to displays is so much safer.

i lock up all my animals on bonfire night, i keep them in, i'd be having kittens all night otherwise(pun intended lol) like i said they should raise the age you can but them, that way it might help not to let them fall in to the wrong hands of sick minded yobs that are so many in our society today!!!! lisa xx

i'm in two minds.......half of me thinks yes for the reasons above and them going off days and sometimes weeks before the 5th....but on the other hand we used to get fireworks for our girls and have them in the garden....their little faces lighting up and the ooooh's and aaaah's.....just different from going to a display. Karen(sitting on the fence)

Yes, they should. there are too many Idiots about who are a danger to Humans and Animals.

joy you know what my cat is the maddest cat you could have sits out when fireworks are going off and when there is a storm with thunder and lightening.....xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx((((:

Yes or they should up the age you can but them at, i mean i'm having my own fireworks but my nan is in sole chrge of them. lis xxx

yes i think so,maybe just proper organised events to have them,it would save alot of worry for elderly and animals,xxxxxx

and just kept to private displays???your opinions pleasexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx((((: