As people across the UK prepare to hold bonfire and firework displays, Carmarthenshire Trading Standards is urging the public to beware of rogue traders selling dangerous fireworks.

According to Heidi Neil, Trading Standards Manager, at Carmarthenshire County Council, “It’s so important if you’re buying fireworks to only get them from a reputable retailer. You’ll often see fireworks for sale at supermarkets and other name-brand stores. These will be licensed and have a responsibility to ensure they meet safety requirements.

“But if you see them for sale at car boot sales, or even out the back of a van, these won’t be licensed, so don’t buy them.

“Check the packaging on any fireworks you do buy to make sure it has all the safety warnings, and that it carries the CE or UKCA mark, which show a product has been assessed as safe to be sold.”

It is only legal to sell fireworks, including sparklers, from registered sellers for private use on these dates:

Cllr. Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability said, “With everything going up in price and household budgets squeezed, it might be tempting to buy cheap fireworks from unlicensed traders.

“Fireworks have to meet stringent safety standards for a reason, and the risk of a major fire or a serious injury is not worth the small saving on illegal fireworks.

“If you’re having fireworks at home, please check the safety distance on the packaging to make sure you have a clear safe area to let them off. There are many organised displays that take place around the county so why not go to one of those – many are in aid of charity. As well as being safer for you and your family it is less disruptive to your neighbours who may be elderly or have nervous pets.”