KEY POINTS:
Supermarket chains are split on whether selling fireworks is responsible business.
Yesterday Progressive Enterprises announced that it will stop selling fireworks in its Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown shops.
But today Warehouse spokeswoman Cynthia Church said the Red Shed will not be looking at a ban.
"We're going to
carry on selling them," Ms Church said.
She said the company will continue to work with government agencies, including the Fire Service, to try and make Guy Fawkes safe.
"We supported the move to an 18 age restriction this year, and will continue to support the government with whatever decisions they choose to make," she said.
Foodstuffs - the owners of New World, Pak 'n Save and Four Square - was today continuing to say there was no need to make a decision on the issue right now.
Foodstuffs managing director Tony Carter said the company was planning a review of whether fireworks would be sold in its stores.
"It will take in all the factors, including the environment, the competitive factors and make a decision in due course," Mr Carter said.
He said the review period could take months but a decision will be made before next Guy Fawkes.
Prime Minister Helen Clark this week warned that "distressing" incidents such as a baby being badly burned by a cracker could tip the balance toward a ban on public sales of fireworks.
National Party leader John Key also said a sales ban was inevitable.
Progressive Enterprises yesterdy said it was stopping sales of fireworks because of the damage and injury caused during Guy Fawkes Day celebrations.
Its managing director Peter Smith said the age restrictions and the reduced selling period for fireworks this year did not work.
"We support the safe use of fireworks in the community but unfortunately ... children and animals continue to be injured and distressed. We believe the safety risks associated with the private use of fireworks outweigh the benefits."
Asked why the company had waited until after Guy Fawkes Day to stop selling fireworks, Mr Smith said: "We have been considering this decision for a while. We had hoped that the additional restrictions introduced this year ... would bring a significant improvement.
"We feel strongly that this is the right thing to do to help prevent children's safety being compromised in the future. We all have families and their safety is our chief concern."
The company would consider sponsoring controlled public displays "managed in accordance with emergency services' guidelines and supervised by registered safety officers".
The Fire Service welcomed the decision and said it reflected a shift in the public's attitude to fireworks.
Acting national commander Paul McGill said: "Even though law changes introduced this year brought about a big improvement, New Zealanders continue to pay a high toll for Guy Fawkes."
* Mercedez Harrison, the one-year-old Tauranga baby burned after a firecracker landed in her pram, was yesterday improving in Waikato Hospital after surgery.
