COUNCIL URGES PEOPLE TO BE SENSIBLE WITH FIREWORKS

With the announcement this year that due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and to protect public health and avoid breaching regulations, all public fireworks displays in Salford are now cancelled.

This means that undoubtedly more and more people will be looking to mark the historic occasion with smaller fires and displays in their own gardens, hopefully complying with the governments rule of six stipulation for gatherings of course.

With this in mind Salford City Council has urged people to ‘be sensible and safe’ in the run up to Bonfire Night this year after reports of young people throwing fireworks at each other.

Emergency services are already overstretched as is and hospitals are having to deal with unprecedented pressures already, the last thing they need right now is to be treating people who have been injured by fires and fireworks.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said he was concerned people would turn to displays at home without treating fireworks with the respect they deserve.

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“Fireworks are not toys to play with. They are small explosives which can cause serious injuries if not handled correctly and people must never forget that,” he said.

“People may have become used to going to organised displays and forgotten about the dangers of handling fireworks. I’d urge parents to speak to their children about safety as we don’t want anyone to get hurt.

“If anyone knows of any shops locally selling fireworks before October 15 which is when they legally go on sale please let the council know so we can take action."

 

If you are planning your own firework display at home please remember these five safety tips:

1.         Read and follow the Firework Code to stay safe - https://www.rospa.com/home-safety/Advice/Fireworks-Safety

2.         Only celebrate with your household in line with current COVID-19 regulations

3.         Be considerate of neighbours and animals who may not enjoy fireworks

4.         Remember it is illegal to let fireworks off between 11pm and 7am or to let them off or throw them in a public place

5.         Keep pets indoors and safe

A spokesperson for GMP confirmed they responded to reports of an incident involving fireworks in Salford.