Services team up for Bonfire Night safety

RETAILERS, police, the fire service and trading standards are to team up to make sure fireworks are sold and stored safely in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

Midlothian Council's trading standards officers will visit shops in the area that are registered to sell fireworks, alongside police and fire staff, to make sure they are aware of their responsibilities.

Among the regulations that retailers have to adhere to is prominently displaying a safety poster that contains a statement saying it is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.

Regulations also impose a curfew, enforced by police, on firework use between 11pm and 7am, apart from November 5, when the curfew takes effect at midnight.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service watch manager Stephen Murray said: "Working in partnership strengthens the message we need to convey to retailers and the public about the importance of dealing with fireworks safely.

"It is the fire service's busiest time of the year, and we hope any joint initiative will reduce the amount of call-outs we receive."