With a grand fireworks display coming up soon on 8th November, raising the bar for performance and big bangs, its no wonder that Argyll and Bute Council’s Trading Standards team in Helensburgh and Lomond is working hard along with Strathclyde Police on promoting the safe storage and sale of fireworks.

The joint team has made visits this year to all trade premises selling fireworks in the town. Anyone supplying or selling fireworks has to comply with strict regulations and the teams are checking that all traders measure up to the requirements.

Anyone selling fireworks has to be registered with the Council and is only allowed to sell fireworks between 15th October and 10th November. A very few have a special license to supply fireworks all year round.

It’s also against the law now to let off fireworks between 11pm and 7am. The only exceptions to this are 5th November (extended to midnight), New Years Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year (extended to 1am).

Groups and individuals may also apply for special permission to use fireworks on other specific occasions.

Fireworks are potentially lethal. Fireworks sold outside the protection of legal scrutiny and licensing carry a greater risk of dangerous malfunction. Children are particularly vulnerable to the damage they can do - as are crowds. For this reason, the Council is asking anyone who can provide information on any potentially illegal sale or use of fireworks to contact Trading Standards on 01436 658909.