Dubai: Nearly 8,000 boxes of illegal fireworks have been seized by Dubai Police since the beginning of Ramadan.
Brigadier Abdullah Al Gaithi, Director of the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency at Dubai Police, said that patrols were dispatched to search shops and storage areas. Some 7,933 boxes were seized.
The department carried out an anti-fireworks campaign on social media, which reached around 50,000 people. “Dubai Police is adamant on implementing the law and on keeping the peace,” he said.
They also conducted a campaign that began in Ramadan, along with private and public bodies, to raise awareness of the dangers of fireworks by distributing flyers in Arabic and English at Ramadan activities and putting up posters near shops and mosques.
Brig Al Gaithi said some people took advantage of the Eid holidays to make money by selling fireworks, adding those found illegally selling or storing fireworks would be fined and could also be jailed.
Fireworks can lead to injuries, disfigurement, dismemberment and permanent disability. They also harm the environment and economy.
He said that the police work with all government entities to curb the spread of fireworks.
“A number of fires in the past have been a result of storing illegal fireworks in an unsafe and unprofessional manner,” Brig Al Gaithi said.
