Firework complaints fall

A LEAFLET campaign to promote the safer use of fireworks is having an effect. Police have received 25 complaints in a week, but the Fire Brigade and animal charities have reported few problems.

The campaign is being run by the Commerce and Employment Department. It sent out 12,000 leaflets with the Guernsey Globe.

Chief health and safety officer Richard Brown said that the object was to encourage people to celebrate only on Friday and to finish by 9pm.

'This is what the consultative committee, of which I am a member, is doing to encourage the responsible use of fireworks,' he said.

He said that a similar campaign had proved successful previously.

'People do tend to take notice of it,' he said.

He hoped that if people used fireworks responsibly, then legislation could be avoided.

'However many restrictions you put in place, there will always be somebody who will abuse them,' he said.

'A handful of calls have been received each day, often from areas surrounding the largest States housing estates. I wouldn't say it's a major problem,' said Inspector Philippe Guilbert.

The only reported incident involving an animal was one where a dog being walked ran off after being spooked by an explosion.

St Martin's deputy Janine Le Sauvage praised the department for its efforts.

'While I was disappointed at the lack of progress on the report on the misuse of fireworks following the requete by ex-deputy Dave Barrett, I would nevertheless like to send my sincere thanks to the department for its timely production of the eye-catching poster,' she said.

Mr Brown said that people should always be properly prepared.

'People need to get fireworks out and read the instructions in order to fire them safely,' he said.

He was in favour of single displays sold in a box.

'From a risk point of view, they are far better. The person lighting them is exposed only to one fuse,' the said.

'They have to apply to the British standard and they are more predictable than, say, an individual rocket.'

Tim Bichard, manager of Pretty Things at Oatlands, said that this type of firework had been particularly popular this year.

'We are definitely selling more.'

Mr Brown said that many fireworks let off locally were imported illegally from France.

'These bangers are breaking the law. They also have unpredictable fuses.'

Deputy Le Sauvage said that a lot of the complaints she had received last year from St Martin's residents were about the noise made by these bangers.

'Let's hope we have a quiet night and no incidents,' she said.