Public Urged to Buy Fireworks from Reputable Traders Only

With Bonfire Night celebrations fast approaching, Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service is advising people to buy fireworks only from licensed and reputable retailers.

The warning follows a rise in reports of unsafe fireworks being sold through social media platforms, markets, pop-up shops and private homes. Officers have previously encountered examples of large commercial display fireworks being miss-sold as consumer products, as well as untested items.

Buying fireworks from unauthorised sources carries serious risks, including fire hazards and potential injury due to poor manufacturing standards. Illicit fireworks may not meet safety regulations and can pose a significant danger to users, their families and the wider community.

As part of this year’s campaign, residents are also being encouraged to consider the impact of fireworks on pets, livestock and wildlife. Attending an organised public display may be a safer and more considerate alternative.

Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“We want everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely, but it’s vital that fireworks are bought from proper, licensed shops.

“We’ve seen far too many cases of people selling cheap and unsafe fireworks from pubs, markets or online. It’s not just dangerous, it puts people at real risk.”

Trading Standards officers are also working closely with legitimate businesses to ensure fireworks are stored and sold in line with safety regulations and that they are not sold to under-18s. Only specialist traders are licensed to sell fireworks year-round, while others may only do so during specific periods.

Anyone with concerns about the sale of fireworks can contact Staffordshire Trading Standards via the Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.

Watch Anthony Screen talk about the dangers of buying illicit fireworks here.