National Campaign for Firework Safety

The National Campaign for Firework Safety was founded in November 1969, by a number of people appalled by the unnecessary firework injuries to children, teenagers and pets.  2,200 injuries were caused in the 1968 'season'.

The Campaign initiated a 50,000-signature petition, organised by 'Mother Magazine'.  The Campaign, strengthened by the successful petition, met with MPs at the House of Commons, together with members of the House of Lords.  A working group of MP's and Lords came together with the campaign's committee led by Noel Tobin our Director and James Johnson MP (Kingston upon Hull) our President to carry forward the aims of our Campaign.  This group became known later as the 'Fish and Fireworks' group of MPs because of the fishing constituency.
 
In 1969 fireworks were controlled by the 1875 Explosives Act.  This Act primarily dealt with the handling of explosives in quarries and mines.  Fireworks were added, at a later date in Sections 23 and 31. Also in 1969, the BBC made a powerful documentary film on fireworks called 'Remember, Remember'.  It was to be updated in 1973.

The Campaign then met with Home Secretary, James Callaghan, and his deputy, Merlyn Rees, resulting in the proposal that the permissible purchasing age would be raised from 13 years to 16.  That change was lost with the incoming Conservative Government of 1970.  Labour won the next election four years later and the Campaign lobbied the government. The result was a consultative firework review, set up by the DTI.  It recommended stronger legislation.  Most safety organisations agreed with the Campaign's proposals that
a) There should be a National Training Scheme for firework display  operators,
b) And all displays should be licensed.

The Firework Companies, put up their usual response which was to object to any change in the regulations.  They spoke about the dangerous "black market" situation developing if everybody could not purchase fireworks The also said that they would have to sack their workforce a part time industry, if fireworks were restricted to displays.  The Government sat on the fence, and pondered.

A Bill was introduced in 1976, changing only 2 words of the 1875 Explosives Act, with regard to fireworks.  The age for purchasing fireworks was raised from 13 years old to 16 and the fine for throwing fireworks in the streets or selling to young people under age, £20 became £200.

The Campaign had its first victory; it learned a lot of lessons, and made a lot of friends.  The one line Bill was accompanied by a package of voluntary measures agreed with the firework trade.  These included restricting the period when fireworks could go on sale to three weeks before and a few days after November 5.  The power of the Banger was reduced for the umpteenth time,  as this caused the highest number of injuries.  The industry refused to cease manufacture of them, as this was their most profitable firework.

A wise lesson, the Campaign learned, was about loopholes.  The 1976 law prohibiting the sale of fireworks to under 16s was flouted just the same as it had with 13 years olds, because the word 'apparently' was used when applying the age.  Retailers, when caught, said they thought the young person was not 'apparently under the age of 16...'

In the early 1970s, our Campaign came to the attention of the Local Authorities regarding the need for properly organised firework displays as a safer alternative to back garden parties.  It was hoped youngsters would go to the displays and not cause nuisance in the streets.  The GLC Parks department agreed to give all suitable sites, under their control, for displays.  Most other Borough and District Councils agreed it was time for Community firework Displays.  The Campaign was instrumental in beginning the trend of yearly-organised firework displays.

In 1973, the Campaign was asked by a Local Authority because of its expertise, to produce a code of conduct for organised firework displays.  The code, the first of its kind, was tried and tested that year. The Home Office, satisfied the Campaign's code was effective, invited us, in collaboration with others,  to draft a national document called, 'How to put on a Firework Display Safely'.

It was in the mid 1970s the Campaign began looking at the legislative situation in the rest of the world.  After extensive research we published in 1978 the International Firework Report.  This was the first report of its kind casting a probing eye on the International Firework scene.  Of the 19 countries surveyed all firework injuries had fallen following legislation controlling the manufacture and use of fireworks.  Training was a key factor.  In the United States the regulations were even tougher because, there were federal, as well as State laws.  Research showed Canada had the best method of licensing and training.   

It was in the 1980s, Standard Fireworks Ltd accepted the Campaign's advice and they went to Canada and were amazed by what they saw.  Standard Fireworks then attempted to emulate this scheme, to their credit, but it came to nothing when the Government refused to match funds.

By 1987, the Liverpool Trading Standards Officers had enough of a bad law and voluntary measures which were not working.  They decided to send their own children into shops that were flagrantly breaking the law, and this brought about prosecutions.  The Consumer Affairs Minister at that time thought this was a good idea and he sought to encourage other Local Authorities TSO's to do the same.  Whilst most LA's agreed with the 'Liverpool' solution they felt it was up to the Minister to introduce proper legislation. 

The Campaign has been backed consistently by the Local Authorities, who have through LACODS, their representative body, asked the Government, of the day, to introduce proper legislation on fireworks.

TV Opinion Polls in 1988, by BBC Southampton, showed a massive 79% support for the Campaign, and the following year, 1989, TV South West confirmed our Campaign gathering momentum by increasing the support to a staggering 87%.

The Campaign's success continued as the annual firework injuries fell from a high of 2,200 in 1968, to an all time low of 555 in 1979.  The Thatcher years followed.  The figures rose and then in 1988 tragedy struck, 3 children died, the first for 16 years. 

In 1989, the Campaign had another success when a British Standard on Fireworks BS7114 was introduced.  The British Standard which should have been a landmark on safety standards but failed, because of de-regulation.  The Firework Industry was allowed to import fireworks, from the Far East.  Vast quantities of these do not conform to BS7114.  This is illegal.

BS7114, placed fireworks into four separate categories, based on their intended use:

Category 1: Fireworks suitable for use inside domestic buildings.

• These fireworks should not cause injury to people standing 1 metre or more away, and should not cause damage to property.
  

• These fireworks should not cause injury to people standing 25 metres or more away.