Durban — With fireworks season upon us, the eThekwini Municipality has provided information on what residents can and cannot do, as well as safety tips.
Municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said that even though fireworks are beautiful and exciting to watch, they can be potentially dangerous. Fireworks can damage property and harm your family or pets.
When buying fireworks for Diwali, make sure of the following:
- You only buy fireworks from authorised dealers and shops displaying the relevant permits from the South African Police Service;
- No person may allow or permit any child under the age of 16 years to handle or use fireworks, except under the supervision of an adult, and
- The fireworks are sold in sealed packages, as received from the suppliers.
“We encourage you to keep an eye on your pets and to keep them safely indoors where possible. Animals are easily frightened by fireworks and can become distressed or try to escape and run away,” Mayisela said.
Tips to keep you safe:
- Make sure that your children and their friends are supervised at all times when around fireworks.
- Keep pets at home, in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to loud sounds. One must not terrify, cause stress, or endanger the life of any animal with fireworks.
- Fireworks should be discharged in a safe and well-ventilated outdoor area and must never be discharged indoors.
- Never keep lit fireworks in your hand, as this could lead to severe injuries.
- A person must never point or direct a firework that is in the process of exploding or detonating at any person, animal, building or motor vehicle.
- If a firework does not ignite, do not attempt to re-light it. Wait at least 15 minutes before you try again.
- Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby in case of a malfunctioning firework.
- Only use fireworks as directed by the instructions provided along with the packaging.
- Make sure that your clothes are not near or hanging over the fireworks when you ignite them.
- Do not light fireworks inside any type of container.
- The use of “tea-light” lanterns is strongly discouraged within the municipal area.
- Never discharge fireworks whilst under the influence of alcohol.
- No person may use any fireworks other than the consumer fireworks in any residence except on approved days. These are currently Guy Fawkes, Diwali between sunset and midnight and December 31 from 11.45pm to 12.15am the next day.
Mayisela said that in the event of an emergency, one must:
- To report a fire, you can call 031 361 0000 from a landline and from a cell phone (Tip: Keep this number on your cell phone as a speed dial.)
- If you have information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks, you can report it to the Metro Police at 031 361 0000 or to SAPS at 10111.
Daily News