In the southern region of Päijät-Häme there are 64 authorised retailers of the festive explosives. About half of these retailers are in Lahti.
Each shop must employ a caretaker with proper training to deal with fireworks, according to Juhani Naskali from Päijät-Häme rescue services.
“Selling is not allowed when the caretaker is not present. In bigger shops, customers should not walk around the store with their bag [of purchased fireworks]. These should be bought on the way out. Afterwards, the customers should under no circumstances go back into the shop or to any other shop for that matter,” Naskali advises.
The counter for fireworks is not allowed to sell any other products.
“Conveyor belts cannot be used, as it’s possible a firework could get stuck at the cash desk or some similar place. The specifications for storing explosives have changed, so these things will be under special scrutiny this year,” Naskali warns.
He also reminds revellers not to handle fireworks when intoxicated or without protective glasses.
