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29 March 2024

Crack down on fireworks

Published
By Bindu Rai

As we approach Eid Al Fitr celebrations, the illegal fireworks sale has shifted into overdrive as retailers are now taking orders via WhatsApp groups following a Dubai Police crackdown since the start of the ‘Stop! Stay Safe’ campaign this year.

As early as last week, Dubai Police reported over 700 boxes of illegal fireworks have been seized, with the authorities warning parents they will be held accountable for their children’s actions.

The third edition of the ‘Stop! Stay Safe’ campaign has garnered eyeballs from schools and parents, as Dubai Police targets young children in the dangers of using illegal fireworks.

This year’s theme ‘Make celebrations playful, not painful’, which began on June 1 is appealing to parents that it is their duty to stop this danger to their children and society, and advised them to cooperate with the Police through monitoring their children and forbidding them from buying and using fireworks.

Dubai Police has also urged the general public to report if they notice any person using fireworks or any store selling firecrackers and related products, so the department concerned can take stringent actions against the owners of such stores and ensure safety of the residents.

At the start of the campaign, Colonel Expert Khalil Obaid Al Bishri, Director of Explosive and Security Department at Dubai Police, said: “The family role is imperative in ensuring that children do not use fireworks.

“Parents allow their children to use these explosive items do so without understanding the danger they are putting the children in. Using fireworks may start out as a fun but can easily end in permanent disability or death.”

In a series of short films that are now available on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, Dubai Police is depicting the consequences of using fireworks that can include severe burns and injuries that can cause permanent disability and permanent hearing difficulties caused by the loud sound.

Fireworks also cause severe injuries to eye and face as these can rupture the eyeball, burn the eye and face, cut eyelids, and cause corneal abrasions.

This comes amidst an appeal by a Pakistani family, which is looking for help to pay for the treatment of their six-year-old daughter who suffered severe burns in various parts of her body while playing with fireworks and matches.

Maitha has had 16 operations to heal her skin at Latifa Hospital in Dubai. Her medical treatment has so far totalled Dh174,000 and now needs a special medical vest, which costs about Dh20,000, the Arabic language daily ‘Emarat Al Youm’ said.

Social media and mobile marketing has taken root since authorities have cracked down on shopkeepers in areas such as Bur Dubai and Karama.

Last year, Dubai Police caught one person marketing fireworks on Instagram, while WhatsApp group mailers are also a popular way to contact regular buyers.