Staffordshire residents warned to choose fireworks wisely this bonfire season - here's why

Staffordshire residents are being warned by Staffordshire County Council to be careful when purchasing fireworks this November.

The council has reminded people to buy fireworks only from reputable and authorised retailers as Staffordshire Trading Standards steps up its annual safety campaign ahead of Bonfire Night. The warning comes as officers have began to monitor the sale of fireworks across the county and work with businesses to ensure products are being stored and sold responsibly.

Officers are also urging people to be cautious of fireworks sold through unofficial channels, including social media marketplaces, pop-up sellers and private addresses as they could be counterfeit, incorrectly labelled, illegally imported or fail to meet UK safety requirements.

Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said: "Bonfire Night is enjoyed by thousands of people across Staffordshire every year, and we want everyone to celebrate safely.

"The safest way to buy fireworks is from a reputable retailer that is authorised to sell them. Buying fireworks from unofficial sellers, whether through social media sites or private sellers, can carry significant risks as you cannot be certain the products meet the required safety standards,” said the councillor.

Anyone with concerns about the sale of fireworks can contact Staffordshire Trading Standards through the council's Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.