Parents have been urged to ensure their children do not get their hands on fireworks over the Eid holidays, after almost 2,500 boxes of illegal fireworks were seized this month.
Officers said some children continue to get their hands on rockets and other explosives, despite a ban across the emirates.
Sellers were fined up to Dh5,000 and a number were put forward for prosecution, though police did not give figures.
“We’ve seen children between the age of eight and eleven playing with fireworks, unaware of the consequences,” said Brigadier Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, director of protective security at Dubai Police.
“In several instances, children have been injured while playing with fireworks but parents fear to report the incident to police because they are aware of the punishment.”
More than 430 patrols were carried out in June, with police searching markets, shops and storage units for fireworks stashes.
“Officers seized 2,469 boxes of fireworks in inspections from May 28 until June 14,” he said.
“In some cases, sellers found distributing illegal fireworks haven’t only been fined, but also handed over to prosecutors to face further legal action.
“A number of fires were started due to residents setting up fireworks unprofessionally.”
He said there have been instances when fireworks have been launched from balconies.
Selling fireworks carries a sentence of up to three months in prison and a Dh5,000 fine.
Police attempted to raise awareness about the dangers of fireworks, posting fliers and giving talks at youth clubs.
“More than 20,000 boxes of illegal fireworks were seized in the past four years,” said Brigaider Al Ghaithi said.
“A person must have a licence to import fireworks and he cannot sell them or store them without permission from the relevant authorities.”
In Abu Dhabi, Colonel Hamid Al Afreet, director of firearms and explosives at Abu Dhabi Police, said parents need to educate their children about the dangers, “as well as reporting shops selling them illegally.”
“Setting up or using fireworks unprofessionally can lead to catastrophic injuries and permanent disability,” he said.
“Children and teenagers playing with fireworks during the Eid holidays seem unaware of the consequences. It could cause a fire and several incidents have resulted in deaths in the past.”
He urged people to report shops selling fireworks illegally by calling on 999.
nalramahi@thenational.ae
