MEDIA RELEASE

Fire Service urges care over Guy Fawkes

30 October 2015

Fires started by fireworks have been falling, but there is still no room for complacency, warns the Fire Service.

National Risk Reduction Manager Rob Saunders said fireworks were responsible for 268 callouts last year – two-thirds of them in November when New Zealanders celebrate Guy Fawkes.

“That’s a big drop on the 653 fires we had in 2006 – the last year before restrictions on sales took effect – but there are still too many fires and injuries that are entirely preventable.

“We now hover around 300 fireworks-related fires a year, and considering the resulting injuries, disruption and damage, we believe Kiwis can do much better.”

Mr Saunders said last year’s callouts included to five house and garage fires over the Guy Fawkes period that could have ended far more seriously.

“In these cases, fireworks ignited trees or rubbish close to buildings, and one fire even threatened a block of shops. Only a chance passerby prevented a tragedy.”

He urged people to follow instructions on fireworks, to light them in open spaces away from anything flammable, and to keep a bucket of water or hose handy.

He said the spate of Guy Fawkes incidents diverted Fire Service resources, delayed responses to other incidents, and often called away volunteers from their homes and workplaces.

“The best solution is professionally run public fireworks displays, which are safer for communities as well as being better value for money.”

Mr Saunders said the Fire Service had this year begun identifying businesses selling fireworks so firefighters could take extra precautions in the event such stores caught fire. Businesses planning to store and sell fireworks could help the Fire Service by phoning through relevant details to 0800FIREINFO during business hours or by emailing them to fireinfo.org.nz.

Restrictions that took effect before Guy Fawkes 2007 included limiting sales to four days and only to those 18 and over, and requiring sparklers to be sold as part of a wider assortment of fireworks.

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