WARNING ON EXPLOSIVES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30264, 17 October 1963, Page 11

WARNING ON EXPLOSIVES

Making Is 44 Job For Experts’ 9 “Making explosives is a job tor experts.” says Mr E. L. Sellens, chief inspector of explosives in the Department of Internal Affairs. “Do-it-yourself enthusiasts should leave it writ alone. V Experimenting with explosives seemed to have a dangerous fascination for youths, especially secondary schoolboys, The worst time of the year was usually the month before Gay Fawke's Day, he said. He did not consider there was any need to make fireworks or other explosives at home because fireworks that were safe, if used according to the instructions on the label, could be bought readily. Some parents seemed not to realise the risks their sons took when making explosives at home, said Mr Sellens. Besides mixing chemicals or ordinary domestic materials, boys also broke down manufactured fireworks or ammunition to extract the contents. Hie safety of their sons could be preserved only if parents strictly discouraged all attempts at do-it-yourself explosives making. The Explosives Act, 1957, made it illegal for an unauthorised person to make explosives, he said. The only exception was where small quantities were made as a chemical experiment, supervised by a teacher or other qualified person. The penalty for ftiepnl manufacture wes

a fine of up to £lOO.