AUTUMN 2023 SEASONAL ADVICE Retailers must take steps to prevent fireworks from getting into the wrong hands this autumn Bonfire Night safety As the seasons change, thoughts turn to autumnal activities such as bonfire parties and fireworks displays all of which can be fun, provided people and animals are kept safe from harm and undue disturbance. See TSBN Autumn 2022 and the West Midlands Fire Service website for more information on holding a safe event. Credit: Daniel Hodgkins, watch commander, West Midlands Fire Service Fireworks are an integral part of many of the UKs annual cultural and religious events, including Bonfire Night, New Years Eve, Diwali, Chinese New Year and Halloween. But they are also explosives and whether you are a parent, a display organiser, a retailer, or all three, everyone has a role to play in keeping fireworks out of the hands of children and preventing firework-related antisocial behaviour and injuries. Retailers, whether they sell fireworks all year round or only during firework season, must take all necessary measures to prevent the sale of F2 and F3 fireworks to under 18-year-olds and F1 products to under-16s. Operate a Challenge 25 policy, which should be clearly indicated on posters throughout the store and especially where fireworks are displayed. Consider keeping your fireworks behind or in view of the counter, or using dummy packs for display Staff training is important, especially if you dont sell fireworks all year round. Make sure they know how to Challenge 25 and are reminded to do so at the till, and that you keep a refusals book. This will help demonstrate that you have effective procedures in place to prevent the sale of fireworks or any other age-restricted products to children. You should already be familiar with the safe storage of fireworks, but also consider keeping your fireworks behind or in view of the counter, or use dummy packs for display. If buyers need to ask for these products, its a greater deterrent to children. Finally, if you are considering selling fireworks online, put in place measures that allow you to verify the age of the purchaser for example, ageverification software and age-verification checks at the point of delivery. For more information, contact your local Trading Standards service or visit Business Companion. Credit: Simon Cripwell, Trading Standards officer Image: iStock / enjoynz Costume caution Incidents of children being severely injured while wearing fancy dress costumes that readily caught fire and then burned violently have made the news in recent years. the regulations, manufacturers of childrens fancy dress costumes can apply BS EN 71 Part 2, which covers the flammability requirements for toys. To ensure your products are safe, you must check that they comply with toy safety legislation. Fancy dress items may also need to comply with childrens nightwear legislation. Fancy dress costumes for children under 14 years are considered to be toys and fall within the scope of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. To demonstrate compliance with In addition, retailers are advised to adhere to the new voluntary codes of practice supported by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the British Retail For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on Consortium which have leaflets that you can use to offer safety advice to your customers. For more information about the safety of fancy dress costumes, see TSBN Autumn 2022. Credit: Sarah Noonan, Trading Standards officer Anonymous Hotline 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.