Every P1 to P5 primary pupils will be given a sticker with the message “Fireworks – Be Safe” to encourage them to be safe and aware of the dangers of anti social behaviour with fireworks.
West Dunbartonshire’s Fireworks Task Group visited Highdykes Primary School yesterday to launch their annual campaign Fireworks – Be Safe, ahead of this year’s Guy Fawkes Night.
Formed under the Community Safety Partnership, the group includes Strathclyde Police, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Trading Standards and West Dunbartonshire Council’s Grounds Maintenance Section.
Along with the stickers for pupils, P4 and P5 pupils will be invited to submit entries for a Poetry competition.
As usual, West Dunbartonshire Council will be holding their organised displays and residents are being encouraged to attend the one of the organised displays. This year’s public fireworks display will be held at Dalmuir Park, Clydebank on Thursday 4th of Novemberand at
Levengrove Park, Dumbarton on Friday 5th November withboth events starting at 7.30pm.
The taskforce will also work together to help prevent illegal bonfires and fires in household wheeled bins.
Head of Neighbourhood Services, Ronnie Dinnie said: “West Dunbartonshire Council Grounds Maintenance Section, in conjunction with the emergency services, will remove any illegal bonfires constructed on Council land. This is primarily in the interest of safety and to protect the environment. The Council provides a service that uplifts waste that potentially could be set on fire. This service is provided throughout the year however, we would ask residents to be particularly vigilant at this time of year.”
If you are unable to attend one of the organised displays and intend to have your own fireworks, Trading Standards advice is to only buy fireworks from legitimate sources and follow the fireworks code. Residents are also reminded to check that you buy the right kind of fireworks for your chosen spot as most gardens are less than half the size of the recommended safety distance for fireworks normally sold in shops.
Officers from Trading Standards will visit fireworks’ retailers to inspect their arrangements for storing fireworks safely and to remind them that they cannot sell to anyone under 18.
Chair of the Fireworks Task Group and Trading Standards Team Leader, Tony Cairns said: "All of our partner agencies again reported a drop in fireworks related incidents last year and we hope that this year’s campaign will continue to build on that success. As usual, any shops or other premises wishing to store fireworks require registration with Trading Standards. Anyone who hasn’t registered should call Trading Standards on 01389 738505 for an application form. Retailers are reminded that, unless they have a special licence to supply fireworks all year round, fireworks can only be sold from 15 October to 10 November."
Unfortunately anti social and irresponsible behaviour can contribute to the many accidents leading up to and on the night of Guy Fawkes, and this year Strathclyde Police will proactively tacking the misuse of fireworks and illegal bonfires.
Inspector Ian Wallace, Strathclyde Police ‘L’ Division said: “In conjunction with our partners we will be proactively tackling the misuse of fireworks and illegal bonfires, and any breaches of the legislation associated with fireworks will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. If anyone has information regarding the illegal use of fireworks or is concerned regarding the construction of a bonfire please do not hesitate to contact Dumbarton Police Office on 01389 822000, Clydebank Police Office on 0141 532 3300 or the Anti-Social Behaviour Hotline on 01389 772048. If it is intelligence which does not require an immediate response please contact the CRIMESTOPPERS telephone number 0800 555111.”
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said most of the calls they receive on Guy Fawkes are for deliberate or malicious fires meaning crews attending these calls are unable to respond to genuine emergency calls.
Area Commander David Proctor, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue said:“This is always a very busy time of year for our operational crews and often many of the calls we receive are in response to deliberate or malicious fires. Responding to these incidents places a significant burden on our front line staff and also means that crews from neighbouring stations need to be called in to provide continuing cover to respond to incidents where people’s lives may be at risk. We would ask for your co-operation in keeping yourselves and your communities safe by ensuring that you do not allow an accumulation of refuse which could be ignited and report any instance of anti-social behaviour to the Police and ensure that you take note of our Firework Safety advice.
