A SENIOR firefighter has issued a stark warning to youngsters and their parents about the dangers of buying unlicensed fireworks.
Assistant divisional officer Simon Dedman, who has been in the Essex Fire Service for 15 years, has dealt with many a firework incident during his time.
Last year there were more than 1,000 serious injuries caused by fireworks across the UK, including George Kemble-Brown, from Great Baddow
The 16-year-old blew some of his fingers off with what he thought was a firework but was actually an agricultural explosive, used to scare birds and deer.
"As I understand it, he bought that from somebody in the park for 50p," said Mr Dedman.
"What people are doing is selling them as fireworks.
"They are not designed as fireworks – they are explosives. The problem is you light them and they go off instantly.
"I'm very concerned about the increasing popularity of these – they should be treated as a bomb."
After the accident on October 31 2011, George lost his middle finger and the tops of his index and forefinger.
Having learned the hard way, he warned others to stay away from street sellers and bird scarers.
"Do not go near them," George said. "I'm not ever going to again and I am pretty sure everyone that saw the accident is not going near them again."
As of Monday, shopkeepers were allowed to put fireworks on sale and, with Hallowe'en fast approaching, it is yet another opportunity for people to get fireworks out.
"George's accident was actually at Hallowe'en," said Mr Dedman. "Kids being kids they get hold of them and they buy illegitimate ones because they are cheap.
"We are absolutely adamant we don't want anyone having the same accident this year."
Mr Dedman's concern is not only with the bird scarers, but with firework safety in general.
"People buy cheap fireworks from countries with no safety regulations and no quality control.
"I don't want to stop people enjoying themselves, I just want people to enjoy themselves safely," he said.
Abercorn Nurseries, in Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, is one seller which only supplies top quality British fireworks.
Manager Dave Gillam said: "There are fireworks and there are fireworks, if you know what I mean.
"Some of the ones for sale on the street are purely built for a price.
"They are big boxes with no power. A real firework is really heavy, and that's because it's stable."
