Wellington Police are urging people to be safe not stupid with fireworks with this season.
Inspector Mike Wright, Wellington Police District Operational Services Manager, hopes this year's tighter restrictions on fireworks sales will reduce the number of police callouts to fireworks related incidents.
"The dangerous and destructive use of sparkler bombs to blow up letter boxes, rubbish bins and other property has marred previous Guy Fawkes seasons," he says.
"Some people have treated sparkler bombs as a bit of fun, but it's not for home and property owners who have had to fix the damage. There's also been a high potential for injury.
"We hope the tighter restrictions on fireworks sales this year will make Guy Fawkes safer and more enjoyable for everyone."
New regulations this year mean that:
• sparklers can't be sold separately. They can only be sold in packages containing at least three other fireworks and no more than 50 sparklers can be sold in any one package of fireworks • fireworks can only be sold during the four-day period from 2 - 5 November (previously there was a ten-day sale) • fireworks can only be sold to people aged 18 years and over (instead of 14 years and over).
Nationally, police attended 1561 fireworks related incidents in Guy Fawkes week last year. Figures show 772 incidents were in the Northern Communications Centre coverage area, 251 in Central Communications (includes Wellington) and 538 in Southern Communications area (South Island).
Inspector Wright says people who misuse fireworks, cause damage or injury, can face serious charges. These include arson, attempted arson, intentional damage, and carrying or possessing explosives except for lawful, proper or insufficient purpose.
"We want people to enjoy themselves but we want people to respect the safety and property of others," he says. "The best way to enjoy fireworks is to go to one of the many public displays in the region. They're controlled, safe and spectacular.
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