Why doesn the Government do more to warn the public about fireworks hazards?
The DTI runs an annual firework safety campaign working closely with the police, fire brigades, and local authority environmental health, education and trading standards departments as well as certain charities. For 2002 we redoubled our efforts and focused the campaign on the misuse of fireworks by young teenagers. Injuries to this group are disproportionately high and are more likely to result from casual incidents in the street or public places, which were up by nearly 60% on last year. Information packs on how to promote firework safety campaigns at local level have been issued to all the participating bodies. The packs contain material on organising private and public displays, firework safety legislation and other information on the safe use of fireworks. Display posters, leaflets aimed at consumers and TV fillers will be used to get the safety message across. Schools will be particularly targeted with an activity pack. In addition, many local authorities and fire services run lo
