This is how to get rid of your out of date flares.
- Thread starter Croak
- Start date
cygnusv
Well-Known Member
Mmmm. A bit cynical really. Finally got rid of my own (well) out of date flares by delivering them to the Coastguard in Bridlington. If you use one of the coastguard stations that can accept flares you must meet the following criteria
You must make an appointment in advance
You can only hand in your own flares (or coach your friend who does it for you)
The flares must be in good condition.
I was so pleased to get rid of my old ones..... :encouragement:
Wandering Star
Well-Known Member
I wasn't going to post this but quite recently I took a bagful of outdated flares to my local tip. I made it very clear what was in the bag and asked permission from the person who looked most like the foreman. He just pointed at the household waste skip and said to put them in there - so I did.
BigEmUp
New Member
Surely you knew that wasn't a good idea. They might break open whilst being rolled into the ground at the landfill, followed by a spark from the vehicle's track's on a glass say and boom! You just asked a clueless job's worth for permission to put someone at risk. Won't get you out of trouble if it comes to it.
Cymrogwyllt
Well-Known Member
Resorted to 5 November, dropped to the ground with surrounding walls after dark after CG got sniffy. They had lived in a paddler's buoyancy aid pocket for the duration so admittedly looked a bit worn.
sarabande
Well-Known Member
" I have a large set of flares that came on a boat that is not needed any more"
If you buy the flares, do you get the boat free ?
If you buy the flares, do you get the boat free ?
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Only if the flares were made in the mid 60s
C08
Well-Known Member
My concern about old flares is idiot football supporters getting hold of them.
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
Large police stations will take them they have lead lined boxes for explosives. That's how I used to get rid of ours.
FishyInverness
Well-Known Member
You mean *might* take them.....They are not obliged and the the fallacy about the lead lined boxes has been mentioned on here any number of times, and disproved the same. I can tell you categorically that the force I worked for had no such facility...
This Ebay listing is completely against Ebay terms of sale also, I am surprised they've not killed it yet.
http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/hazardous-materials.html
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prv
Well-Known Member
Not in Southampton they don't.
I phoned them, got passed around various places till they decided that expired flares came under the "Property" department. The lady on the phone checked that I wasn't a commercial operator, and had fewer than ten flares, then said "yep, we'll take them". To give me directions to the new central police station (they've moved) she asked where I was. When I said Portswood, she said "oh - why don't you take them to Bitterne then, they accept them too". Since that's near the boat where I was going anyway, I readily agreed.
Drove over to Bitterne. Found the police station closed for lunch.
Waited around till they re-opened, took in my flares. Lady on the front desk says "I don't think we take those any more". I say that their central Property department says they do. She phones their local Property room, who say no they don't, go away.
Standing outside the station, I phone the central folks again. Different lady now on duty in the Property department, but she also thinks they accept flares. I explain no-go here at Bitterne. She says she'll check with her supervisor. Comes back saying Bitterne definitely should accept them, she will phone and tell them so, I should go back to the front desk.
Waiting at the desk, I can overhear half of the conversation going on in the adjoining office. It seems Bitterne are up to date with current policy, Central hadn't noticed the rules changing. They agree that the new answer is "we're not interested, book an appointment with the Coastguard". Go away.
Arse / elbow.
Perhaps I should just stick 'em in a bin at this rate.
Pete
Talulah
Well-Known Member
I see the flares are still in date. Exp March 2014.
So someone who just needs them for an iminent delivery trip might find them useful.
So someone who just needs them for an iminent delivery trip might find them useful.
prv
Well-Known Member
Or even someone willing to stretch the date a bit. I wouldn't want to rely on flares that are years out of date, but six months (taking these through to October) seems acceptable to me.
Pete
Talulah
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Surprised there is a reserve on them though.
northwind
Well-Known Member
I take them to the local tip.
I asked them first if they take "pyrotechnics" Then when I next visited, I gave them to one of the attendants, no hassle.
I asked them first if they take "pyrotechnics" Then when I next visited, I gave them to one of the attendants, no hassle.
SAMYL
Well-Known Member
Next time you use the IoW or other cross channel ferry put them in the boot of your car, or carrier bag if walking.
You will be asked what they are.
They will be confiscated.
Job done. :encouragement:
You will be asked what they are.
They will be confiscated.
Job done. :encouragement:
cliff
Well-Known Member
The date is stamped on with some sort of ink which comes off with a rag damped in cellulose thinners - get a rubber date stamp and "correct" the date - easy. (make sure to use indelible ink
KellysEye
Well-Known Member
>Not in Southampton they don't.
My bet is they don't have a lead lined box try calling Hampshire Police HQ and ask if they have one 01962 841534
My bet is they don't have a lead lined box try calling Hampshire Police HQ and ask if they have one 01962 841534
prv
Well-Known Member
You think somebody's taken these boxes away from Southampton and Bitterne stations in the last few weeks?
They've just announced a "reorganisation" in response to funding cuts, my bet is that disposing of flares is one of the services they've cut to save money. Not entirely unreasonable, though annoying. The secure storage facilities are probably still in place at the stations, they're just not using them for walk-in disposals.
Incidentally, why is your imaginary box lined with lead? Wouldn't something stronger and with a higher melting point be a good idea when the risk is fire or explosion? Lead is good for blocking noise and ionising radiation, neither of which are emitted by flares.
Pete
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FishyInverness
Well-Known Member
Pete's right, and I know i've seen this conversation around , where exactly the same was asked and pointed out to KE before - a Lead Lined box is irrelevant - Although Hampshire Constabulary have had a strategy of taking up to 10 flares from leisure sailors it's likely their storage is a steel lockable box same asretailers are required to store flares in and only stems from them making arrangements with the coastguard.
The police are NOT obliged in any way to accept TEP's. It should never be suggested as an option. Except where proof can be found that a particular force will do it, Hampshire publicise the fact that they offer this service, Sussex Police categorically state that they will NOT accept flares - so saying "any large police station will take them" isn't true.
The police are NOT obliged in any way to accept TEP's. It should never be suggested as an option. Except where proof can be found that a particular force will do it, Hampshire publicise the fact that they offer this service, Sussex Police categorically state that they will NOT accept flares - so saying "any large police station will take them" isn't true.
