Those selling firecrackers at feasts are abiding by the rules, according to the Market Surveillance Directorate, despite concerns about their safety.
A boy suffered burn injuries last week when firecrackers bought from one of a stall during the village feast went off.
His father said the boy had bought the firecrackers while at the Żejtun feast and kept them in his pocket. He then went to play with some friends and, at one point, all the firecrackers went off. The father posted a comment on Facebook calling on the authorities to step up monitoring of “things people are selling our children as toys”. The boy suffered injuries to one of his legs.
According to directorate head Michael Cassar, officials from the Malta Competition and Consumers Affairs Authority carry out inspections both in shops as well as on toy stands “by visiting such operators and checking their products against appropriate checklists”.
We ensure that products placed on the market comply with legislation
“The Market Surveillance Directorate also carries out inspections at importers’ warehouses to ensure that products placed on the market comply with legislation,” he said.
Contrary to accusation by worried parents that those selling such products were not abiding by the regulations in place to make sure toys were safe, Mr Cassar said the inspectors had never fined those selling such firecrackers.
“Operators abided by the orders issued by the Market Surveillance Directorate to bring their products in line with requirements,” Mr Cassar said.
On whether the directorate would be stepping up inspections after last week’s incident, Mr Cassar said his office already monitored fireworks that were on the market.
Firecrackers originated in China and date back to 200 BC. They were originally made of bamboo but modern-day variations use different kinds of cardboard or paper to tightly pack flash powder that makes the firecrackers’ distinctive bang.