Fire Chief Warns About Fireworks

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30900, 5 November 1965, Page 7

Fire Chief Warns About Fireworks

‘1 am not trying to be a spoilsport,” Mr L. R. Osmond, chief fire officer of the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Brigade, said yesterday. “But I say have fun on Guy Fawkes Day but be sure it is careful fun.”

Mr Osmond said he wanted to emphasise the dangers in the storage, transport and use of fireworks.

“How dangerous they can he is fully shown in the report from New York in Tuesday’s newspaper where a youth travelling in a car attempted to throw out of a window a lighted cracker, which rebounded into the car and exploded the crackers therein. One of his hands was blown off, and his two legs were so severely injured that they had to be amputated. “Already in Christchurch several fires have originated from crackers, and in the case of one had it not been for the quick action of the theatre management in organising and supervising evacuation, children could have been involved in a fire at a suburban theatre.

“I sincerely request all parents to ensure that children are not allowed to set off crackers themselves. Supervise and let off the crackers yourself for them, and ensure that you choose a safe place. “Bonfires, except in the tidal areas of estuaries and

beaches are illegal, and the brigade has no option but to extinguish them if called. Damage originating from them can be a claim against the lighter.” MORE EXPENSIVE

Fireworks are a bit more expensive this year. Prices are between 5 and 10 per cent higher than last year, wholesalers say. It is the first increase for about 10 years. Both retailers and wholesalers say that sales have been about the same as last year. One wholesaler thinks that the increasing density of urban housing has restricted the use of fireworks. He says that fireworks sales have not kept pace with the population growth, indicating that householders are cautious about using them in closely settled areas. “Most fireworks are sold ahead and pre-packaged,” he said. “We could have sold more if we could have imported them from England and China, because there is not the same variety in the ones made in New Zealand.

“Fireworks are not big business, but they’re nice business,” he said. Sparklers, “flower pots,” crackers, and rockets with ipace-age names like “moon ship” and “flying saucer” are some of the fireworks available in Christchurch, but it is hard to find an old-fashioned Catherine wheel. Stores still had plenty of fireworks for sale yesterday, both in loose assortments and in 5s and 10s bags.