Slough Borough Council’s trading standards team would like to remind shops selling fireworks to ensure the explosive devices are stored and supplied properly.
The Slough council team will be carrying out inspections at all retail premises selling fireworks, in particular, after the introduction of tighter controls over the last few years on sales of fireworks including restrictions on when they can be sold.
Permitted selling periods are, Guy Fawkes October 15 to November 10, New Year December 26 to 31, three days immediately before and on the day of Diwali and three days immediately before and on the day of Chinese New Year.
Shops also need to remember that it’s an offence to sell fireworks to children under the age of 18 and that it’s the responsibility of Slough trading standards to make sure these rules are applied.
Therefore, the trading standard team will be inspecting all retail outlets selling fireworks by carrying out undercover purchases to see if any retailers are willing to sell outside the allowed periods of sale and to underage teens.
Jaspal Singh, principal technical enforcement officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “It’s extremely important shops comply with the rules and regulations for selling fireworks.
“In the wrong hands, these explosive devices can burn or even maim people for life.
“We take the sales of fireworks very seriously and anyone caught storing the fireworks incorrectly or selling to minors, could be prosecuted.”
Commissioner for Slough community and leisure, Cllr Shafiq Chaudhry, added: “Fireworks are fantastic in the right circumstances and make a spectacular display, but are, at the same time, very dangerous.
“Shop owners should pay careful attention to how they store these devices and who they sell them too.”
Residents are also reminded to make sure their pets are kept indoors, especially during November 5 celebrations.
Slough Borough Council
