Gearing Up For Fireworks Season
The joint safety initiative between the Environmental Risk Management Authority, Ministry for the Environment, Police
and Fire Service has gone up a gear, ready for the annual fireworks sales period which starts tomorrow.
ERMA New Zealand Chief Executive Rob Forlong says it is the first time the four agencies have worked together to get out
a safety message nationally, and the public response has justified the amount of work put in.
Over the past few weeks the agencies have distributed 180,000 safety pamphlets and posters through Neighbourhood
Support, schools, community police and fire stations. In some areas, such as Southland, police and firefighters have
taken the message directly into secondary schools.
The Warehouse and Progressive Enterprises supermarkets will also display the leaflets.
A temporary website www.GuyFawkes2006.govt.nz aimed at highlighting fireworks safety received over 2000 hits almost as
soon as it appeared last week, Mr Forlong said.
"Response to the website's list of public fireworks display venues around the country has been positive, with people
from Northland to Otago continuing to add their local Guy Fawkes events to the list.
"With the cooperation of the public, and a bit of luck with the weather, we could make this the best Guy Fawkes in
years," Mr Forlong said.
Ends