Dubai: The Dubai Police has launched an awareness campaign titled "Celebrate Safely" aimed at raising awareness about the hazards of fireworks.

Major General Abdullah Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the General Department of Organization Protective Security and Emergency, stressed that the initiative reflects Dubai Police’s keenness on protecting children, families and society in Dubai. "Dubai Police is always keen on protecting society from those who take advantage of the holy month and the joyful Eid to illegally sell firecrackers and endanger the society", he added.

Al Ghaithi explained that the campaign aims to spread awareness among society about the risks associated with fireworks, seize unlicensed firecrackers, impose strict punishment on the violators, and activate communication and coordination between governmental and private institutions to combat these phenomena. "The campaign also features inspection visits to stores and warehouses in coordination with the relevant authorities, as well as utilising social media platform to raise awareness ", Al Ghaithi added.

"Through the campaign, we seek to inform parents and children about how dangerous fireworks can be as they might cause burns, permanent or temporary injuries, and damage property", he continued.  

Al Ghaithi further urged parents to cooperate and report vendors or companies that sell materials that may harm the community, and monitor their children and prevent them from playing with fireworks.

Under Article 54, any person trading in, importing, exporting, or manufacturing fireworks or getting them into or out of the country without a license, shall be imprisoned for not less than one year and be fined not less than Dh100,000 or either of the said punishments..