A newly formed task group, involving emergency services and a number of West Dunbartonshire Council services, has been set up to help ensure that this fireworks season is safe and fun for everyone.
Strathclyde Police, Fire Service, West Dunbartonshire Council’s Trading Standards team and other services including the Community Wardens and Litter team, have been meeting together to develop a joined-up campaign on fireworks safety. Formed under the West Dunbartonshire Community Safety Partnership, the Fireworks Task Group’s campaign will run throughout the fireworks season and will be targeted at traders and public alike.
The fireworks campaign includes:
· Promoting attendance at organised displays. These take place at Levengrove Park, Alexandria on the 5th of November and
Dalmuir Park, Clydebank on the 6th, both at 7.30.
· Fireworks retailers are being visited to inspect their arrangements for storing fireworks safely and to remind them that they
cannot sell to anyone under 18. Young volunteers will also be sent in to shops to attempt to purchase fireworks
· Remember the advice of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue - to ‘Be Safe, Not Sorry’
· Schools will be visited and pupils given talks aimed at encouraging them to be safe and discouraging antisocial behaviour with
fireworks
· Posters and leaflets will be distributed throughout the community
· Local services will work together to help prevent illegal bonfires, wheeled bin fires etc and to respond swiftly if they do occur
· The message to those who do buy fireworks is to only buy from legitimate sources and follow the fireworks code. Also, check
that you buy the right kind of fireworks for your chosen spot – most gardens are less than half the size of the recommended
safety distance for the fireworks normally sold in shops
West Dunbartonshire Council Trading Standards’ Team Leader and Chair of the Fireworks Task Group, Tony Cairns says, "As usual, any shops or other premises which want to store fireworks will need to register with Trading Standards. Anyone who hasn’t yet registered should call Trading Standards on 01389 738552 for an application form.
In addition, in partnership with Strathclyde Police, we will be inspecting all fireworks retailers to ensure that they are actually storing fireworks safely. 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.
Shops will be visited by trained under 18’s, acting under the supervision of our officers, who will attempt to buy fireworks and anyone who sells risks prosecution."
David McLeish, Section Head of Grounds Maintenance: “WDC Grounds Maintenance Section in conjunction with the emergency services will remove illegal bonfires constructed on Council Land. This is primarily in the interest of safety and to protect the environment”.
Inspector Neil Connell, Strathclyde Police (‘L’ Division, Community Safety Department):
“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 are concerned regarding the construction of a bonfire please do not hesitate to contact Dumbarton Police Office on 01389 822000 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.”
Area Commander, Ally Boyle from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue is keen to re-iterate:
“This is a very busy time of year for our operational crews and we would like to ask for your help and assistance and ensure that you take note of our Firework Safety advice: -
· Attend a local organised display, they are held under controlled conditions, are much bigger and better than a “back garden”
display and are usually free.
· Don’t go near an “unofficial” display where safety rules are ignored and where fuel for the fire such as drums of oil, could
potentially be a deadly hazard.
· Keep an eye on your children, by all means let them join in the fun, but don’t let them stray too close to the fire or fireworks.
· Keep dogs and other pets indoors and reduce chances of them being frightened by explosives and the misuse of fireworks.
