In an effort to ensure the tranquility of Eid celebrations in the Emirate, Dubai Police have confiscated 22,153 firecrackers that could cause serious deformities, especially on children. A top official has warned residents of promoting the use of firecrackers to avoid strict penalties stipulated in the UAE Federal Law.
Brigadier Abdullah Ali Ghaithi, Director of the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency, said that the Dubai Police are keen to prevent the spread of the ‘anarchic’ phenomenon of firecrackers, which damages both the environment and the economy. He noted that many large fires in previous years were caused by illegal firecrackers because of poor storage facilities at the warehouses.
Brigadier Al Ghaithi added that as per the instructions from Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, several awareness campaigns, including distribution of brochures, were launched in schools, shops, clubs and parks. During the inspection campaigns on the shops, the police has confiscated and seized the firecrackers that found in the possession of the violators.
He warned shopkeepers who take advantage of the summer vacation and Eid Al Fitr holidays to sell these dangerous stuff, ignoring the risks arising from the use of firecrackers, and called for unified security measures across the country’s entry points to prevent the entry of these hazardous materials, and imposing strict penalties as prescribed by Federal Law that include imprisonment or a fine and confiscation of seized material.
Brigadier Al Ghaithi appealed media to highlight the dangers of this bad phenomenon and urged families to keep an eye on their children. He praised teams who organised campaigns to educate children about the dangers of firecrackers and also those who cooperated with the police to find the traders.
The Police has distributed gifts and brochures to children aged 6-15, who attended lectures at Lamcy Plaza shopping mall, Indian High School, and in the tent of the Islamic information Centre at Mamzar, Dubai Police Officers Club, Bel Remaitha Club.
The campaign team has conducted 400 inspections in the industrial areas in cooperation with Economic Department officials at several shops and warehouses. Also, Police teams conducted visits and inspections at the supermarkets in residential areas and homes and cars of those who sell firecrackers.
Around 1.3million people cooperated with the Dubai Police through social media platforms to root out this menace from the society. Dubai Police hailed the campaign team for their successful implementation of a variety of awareness programmes at various locations among different nationalities adding that the campaign will be continued throughout the year.
About the Author
Neil Wallington is a former British Chief Fire Officer, a Past International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers, and a holder of the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. He is the author of 17 books on the work of the fire service, and acts as a consultant with extensive experience in the Gulf on a range of projects.
