Manchester one of Good Guys

Manchester City Council is joining forces with other councils in Greater Manchester to combat firework danger in the run up to bonfire night.

The council's Trading Standards Service has signed up for the Good Guy Scheme - an initiative aimed at encouraging retailers to be responsible in the run-up to 5 November.

The scheme involves retailers following a code of conduct that will restrict firework nuisance in the weeks leading up to bonfire night.

The campaign is a partnership between Trading Standards and the Fire and Rescue Service, with support from Greater Manchester Police. The other councils taking part are Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford.

Good Guy retailers will refuse to sell fireworks before 15 October and after 10 November and will make sure all buyers are aware of their responsibilities. The only concession will be to the few retailers who have a year-round licence to sell fireworks.

Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Fireworks can be great fun but they can also be very dangerous and the cause of distress and annoyance if misused. The Good Guy scheme, which is similar to a scheme we have operated in Manchester in previous years, will help to promote responsible sales and use of fireworks."

The law

It is illegal to:

• Set off fireworks after 11 pm, except on 5 November (until midnight), New Year's Eve, the Chinese New Year and Diwali (until 1am)
• Throw fireworks/let them off in the street
• Possess fireworks unless you are 18 or older
• Sell fireworks to minors
• Sell fireworks without being registered
• Fail to comply with storage requirements.

The Police, Fire Service and Trading Standards are responsible for enforcing the law on fireworks.

For more information on firework safety visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/FireSafety/DG_064665

Media contact

Martin Hellewell, tel: 0161 234 3729