Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards are urging venues, event organisers and licensed premises not to use pyrotechnics or fireworks indoors due to the significant fire and lifesafety risks.
The warning follows a series of tragic incidents in entertainment venues worldwide, including a recent New Year’s Eve bar fire in Switzerland, and comes amid an urgent push to strengthen measures that protect the public.
Lee Spencer-Smith, Area Commander for Protection at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our thoughts are with the loved ones of those who lost their lives in the Switzerland New Years tragedy. For us and our Trading Standards colleagues, our core priority is keeping people safe. Fireworks and pyrotechnics are designed for strictly controlled environments; used indoors, they can turn a celebration into a lifethreatening emergency in mere seconds.
“We’re asking businesses and organisers to follow our new guidance, review their fire risk assessments, and use competent professionals so similar incidents don’t happen here and ultimately, lives are not tragically lost.”
Mandy Poole, Assistant Director at Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards, added: “Within the policy, there are some really simple steps to follow to ensure safety and compliance. Only buy from licensed retailers, check for UKCA/CE markings and follow the supplied instructions precisely. Unsafe products and misuse put customers, staff and communities at risk. If in doubt – it’s really simple – don’t use them.”
To find their full position statement and further guidance, please visit Surrey County Council’s webpage ‘Responsibility for fire safety’. Businesses can also request a visit from SFRS to gain support in complying with fire safety legislation.
Suspected unsafe sales or practices can be raised with Trading Standards teams through Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk and searching ‘report to Trading Standards’.
ENDS
Surrey News 
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