Pre-fireworks planning called for

• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Star, The

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Otago district community risk manager James Knapp said there was always a spike in fireworks-related calls at this time of year.

Many were related to burns and vegetation and structure fires, Mr Knapp said.

This year, each call would be logged and up-to-date data would be available to view online to show people the impact of fireworks.

Fenz encouraged attendance of professional fireworks displays.

‘‘They are going to be way cooler than anything you can buy [at] a retailer,’’ Mr Knapp said.

Organisers would have also been through the necessary compliance process and secured the required licences.

Mr Knapp urged people planning to let off their own fireworks to take precautions.

That involved checking the weather forecast and having a way to extinguish a potential fire.

‘‘If they want to use fireworks at home, spend a little time thinking about how they can do so safely.’’

Fireworks can only be bought and displayed for four days prior to and including Guy Fawkes Day.

That period started on Tuesday and ends tomorrow.

Only people 18 years and over can buy fireworks.

The SPCA advocates for the private sale and use of fireworks to be banned in New Zealand due to the harm and distress they cause animals.

The society’s scientific officer Dr Alison Vaughan said each year it received fireworks-related calls about injured, distressed or missing animals.

Occasionally, some animals were deliberately harmed by fireworks, Dr Vaughan said.

‘‘We encourage people not to purchase or use fireworks, but to instead attend public...