Consumers are being reminded that you can only buy fireworks ,including sparklers, from registered sellers for private use at certain times.
They can be bought between October 15 to November 10, December 26 to December 31, the day of Diwali and the three days immediately preceding Diwali, and the first day of Chinese New Year and three days preceding the Chinese New Year.
Sellers should have a licence from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service to store fireworks for sale between the legal selling dates, and if they are sold outside of normal periods a further license to sell is required. It is illegal to supply adult fireworks to under 18s.
Fireworks sold outside of this period may be illegal fireworks. They may be poorly made, with insufficient warning labels and unsafe to use. Members of the public are now being encouraged to report any sales of illegal fireworks to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice helpline on 03454 040506.
John McHale, Interim Head of Licensing said, “Our aim is to cut off the supply of illegal fireworks and we target anyone found to be trading them without the appropriate license or selling to children. We would also strongly urge parents to be aware of these dangerous products falling into their children’s hands and people should only buy fireworks from reputable retailers and report any illegal activity straight away.”
