Police seize fireworks from six Dubai shops

Dubai: Police say they have caught six shops selling fireworks in Deira and Bur Dubai during their anti-fireworks campaign that started in Ramadan.

The campaign targeted shops, Ramadan tents and youth clubs to arrest offenders and raise awareness about the dangers of fireworks and fire crackers.

Colonel Abdullah Ali Al Gaithi, Director General of the Security establishment Department, said the campaign was mainly to target children who enjoyed playing with fireworks during Ramadan and the Eid holidays. The campaign was to highlight the dangers of playing with fireworks.

Police said personnel from the Department of Explosives Security at Dubai Police inspected a total of 197 shops. Police also educated shopkeepers about the dangers of selling fireworks to children and the consequences that they faced under the law.

Fireworks can cause an array of serious injuries such as burns and eye injuries. Fireworks can also cause fire, and public disturbance, Col. Al Gaithi said.

Col. Al Gaithi urged the public to not buy fireworks for their children. He urged the public to call the toll free number 800 8888 or 999 to report any shops selling fireworks or firecrackers.

Fireworks have been listed as explosives and are therefore illegal and punishable under the Federal laws on firearms, munitions and explosives, articles 52, 53 and 54, Number 3 of the year 2009.