Dubai Police launches “STOP! STAY SAFE” campaign to curb illegal use and trade of fireworks in the emirate

• Fireworks may seem like fun, but they can cause life-long danger to the users, warn Dubai Police and urge the public to report such incidences. 
• Stringent actions will be taken against individuals using fireworks or stores selling firecrackers in the emirate. 

Dubai, UAE, May 31, 2016:  Dubai Police General Department of Protective Security and Emergency - Explosive and Security Department (ESD) has announced the third edition of its ‘Stop! Stay Safe’ campaign aimed at creating awareness on the potential dangers of using fireworks. Use of fireworks by residents is a legal offence in Dubai. 

The campaign with its current year theme ‘Make celebrations playful, not painful’ will begin on June 1 with a number of awareness and vigilance activities across the emirate running throughout the holy month of Ramadan. 

Dubai Police have reminded 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. Parents of those caught using fireworks can be held accountable for their children’s actions. 

Dubai Police 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. 

Brigadier Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of General Department of Protective Security and Emergency at Dubai Police, said, “Fireworks are powerful enough to cause serious life-long injuries to their users and innocent bystanders. Avoiding their use is a moral, social and religious duty. There is a remarkable increase in the use of fireworks to celebrate feasts. This phenomenon causes extreme danger and it is our duty to prevent it. Hence, preventing the growing use of fireworks requires cooperation by the public.” 

Citing the increased use of fireworks by children, 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.” 

“It is the duty of each family to prevent its children from playing with fireworks and to convert their energy and interest into more beneficial pursuits,” he added. 

The consequences of using fireworks 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.  

In addition to this, fireworks create an adverse impact on the environment. The gasses produced by fireworks cause chemical pollution in the air. They give off large amounts of carbon dioxide, which is one of the main gases responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.  

Lieutenant Colonel Ayob Abdullah Ibrahim Kankazar will monitor different phases of implementing the work plan of the fireworks awareness campaign. 1st Lieutenant Engineer Humaid Sultan bin Dalmouk will supervise the preparation of programs for the campaign including implementation, providing logistical support and managing campaign productions. Ms Hadeel Yahya Al Hubaishi is the general coordinator of the campaign. She will prepare all activities during Ramadan and coordinate with all internal and external partners.