Animal Health Officers Issue Advice Over New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Animal Health Officers of the Trading Standards Service have issued advice leaflets aimed at horse owners and those who intend to let off fireworks in areas where there are known populations of horses.

Fireworks are traditionally used to celebrate events around November 5th, however fireworks now are increasingly used as part of other celebrations. This is particularity true of celebrations to see in the New Year, which can see one of the biggest discharges of fireworks over a very short period of time.

With this in mind Animal Health Officers of the Trading Standards Service have developed two advice leaflets; one for those who plan on letting off fireworks and another for horse owners. The full PDF of the leaflets can be found on the Wrexham Council website here.

Whilst fireworks cause distress to all animals, the publication of these advice leaflets was prompted by the death of a horse locally as a result of distress caused by fireworks being discharged near its field last month.

Brymbo Councillor, Paul Rogers said: “This incident happened in my ward area. I understand that this horse died after the herd bolted when they were spooked by fireworks. If these horses had broken out of their field and stampeded on the road the consequences could have been very serious.

“This was a distressing incident for everyone involved to deal with and I would recommend that horse owners and the public act on the advice given.”

These leaflets will be available to download at www.wrexham.gov.uk and will be available at premises selling fireworks during the selling period 26th to 31st December. There will also distribution in Brymbo and Tan y Fron area as there is a relatively high concentration of horses in this area.

People are also being reminded to purchase fireworks from reputable and registered premises.

The law prohibits the sale of fireworks to under 18s, it also bans them from possessing fireworks in a public place. Unregistered retailers offer those under the age of 18 a way to get round this legislation because they will not be subject to control by Trading Standards Officers.

Kevin Jones Trading Standards Manager said: “I would also like to reinforce the messages we issued in the run up to November 5th and urge the public to ensure that they only purchase fireworks from registered premises and not from pub sellers, street hawkers or from vans and cars.”

If anyone has any concerns over illegal sales, use and storage of fireworks or wants information on the location of registered firework retailers in the Wrexham area please contact the Trading Standards Service on 01978 292045.