sylvestter
10-30-2007, 10:41 AM
One of our members forwarded an advertisement that she received from Fire One Fireworks. It seems that this year the Fire One company has taken a different tack - they are e-mailing advertisements, to potential customers She told us she has already received several such advertisements.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a belief in many people's mind that if this company is allowed to import and advertise fireworks freely, then it means that it is now legal to set off fireworks.
As far as the law stands, nothing has changed: the Summary Offences Act states that setting off “fireworks within any town is liable to a fine of $1,000.” The Act further defines the towns, boroughs and cities and states that the regulations include “every part of the area within two miles of the boundaries of such city…..” Outside the two- mile limit, a $400 fine applies to anyone setting off fireworks in the street or within 60 feet of the centre of the street.
The press can help by making people aware of where the town boundaries lie, and of the area covered by the two-mile limit beyond the town boundaries. Many people in Belmont, St. Ann’s, lower Maraval and the suburbs just west of the Cocorite stretch may be unaware that they live within the two-mile limit.
The Explosives Act refers to ‘gunpowder’ which is defined as including fireworks. Section 17 of the Act prohibits sales to “any child apparently under the age of sixteen years”. Few fireworks vendors display a sign about the age limit. Also, what about the manner in which the fireworks are stored? The Act requires that fireworks be stored in places approved by the police. Cardboard boxes on the pavement do not qualify as "approved storage".
Remember, it does not matter if this company has obtained licences to import the fireworks, it is still illegal for fireworks to be set off in the areas described above.
Two years ago, the Police charged some vendors and there was a great deal of press coverage and support for this, and also for the crackdown on the use of scratch bombs and similar fireworks. Last year, they showed less interest in charging anyone and the stalls selling fireworks began to proliferate again.
Please help us start the seasonal fight against the use of fireworks by forwarding this e-mail to everyone (in T&T) on your address list.
The Animal Welfare Network
http://www.animalwelfarenetwork.org
Unfortunately, there seems to be a belief in many people's mind that if this company is allowed to import and advertise fireworks freely, then it means that it is now legal to set off fireworks.
As far as the law stands, nothing has changed: the Summary Offences Act states that setting off “fireworks within any town is liable to a fine of $1,000.” The Act further defines the towns, boroughs and cities and states that the regulations include “every part of the area within two miles of the boundaries of such city…..” Outside the two- mile limit, a $400 fine applies to anyone setting off fireworks in the street or within 60 feet of the centre of the street.
The press can help by making people aware of where the town boundaries lie, and of the area covered by the two-mile limit beyond the town boundaries. Many people in Belmont, St. Ann’s, lower Maraval and the suburbs just west of the Cocorite stretch may be unaware that they live within the two-mile limit.
The Explosives Act refers to ‘gunpowder’ which is defined as including fireworks. Section 17 of the Act prohibits sales to “any child apparently under the age of sixteen years”. Few fireworks vendors display a sign about the age limit. Also, what about the manner in which the fireworks are stored? The Act requires that fireworks be stored in places approved by the police. Cardboard boxes on the pavement do not qualify as "approved storage".
Remember, it does not matter if this company has obtained licences to import the fireworks, it is still illegal for fireworks to be set off in the areas described above.
Two years ago, the Police charged some vendors and there was a great deal of press coverage and support for this, and also for the crackdown on the use of scratch bombs and similar fireworks. Last year, they showed less interest in charging anyone and the stalls selling fireworks began to proliferate again.
Please help us start the seasonal fight against the use of fireworks by forwarding this e-mail to everyone (in T&T) on your address list.
The Animal Welfare Network
http://www.animalwelfarenetwork.org