18,000 call for ban on fireworks
The tradition of writing your name in the air with a sparkler may be set to fizzle out, as calls to ban fireworks mount.
A petition of nearly 18,000 signatures calling for a ban on the retail sale of fireworks was presented to Parliament yesterday.
Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Gareth Hughes accepted the petition with the help of Luna the samoyed.
Pictured behind are, from left, petition initiator Chris Eichbaum and SAFE members Debra Ashton, Lauren Orchard, Paris Waterworth and Mona Oliver.
Hughes said the private sale of fireworks was dangerous. ‘‘Fireworks cause hundreds of accidents each year, start fires and cause distress and sometimes injuries to animals.’’
The proposed ban would introduce licensing arrangements for those wishing to ‘‘responsibly’’ let off fireworks for public displays, that would be administered by local councils.
Hughes urged the Government to act on the issue so the public could embrace fireworks ‘‘without the worries and danger of ad hoc private use’’.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said any decision on the sale of fireworks was a matter for the Government but it was concerned that some people were still not following safety advice when using fireworks. ‘‘This year, our crews responded to 109 fireworks incidents over the Guy Fawkes weekend.’’