As the Eid al-Adha holiday draws near, the Ministry of Interior warned of the dangers of fireworks, especially for children and adolescents, and warned that they should be promoted, traded or used without a license, subjecting their owners to legal accountability.

The UAE today spotted websites and personal accounts on social media sites promoting the purchase of fireworks of various kinds in celebration of Eid al-Adha, while people said that the activity of these sites is intensifying ahead of holidays and holidays, to attract children and adolescents to use fireworks.

According to police reports, children have been burned in several previous incidents at the state level, due to the explosion of fireworks while being used unconsciously, and led to the burning of parts of their bodies, which warns the Ministry of Interior through its ongoing awareness campaigns.

The Ministry of Interior warned families to guide children to prevent the risk of using fireworks, especially in the period of holidays, which witnessed abuses by some adolescent children, who play games in a way that threatens their lives and the lives of others, calling for the need to call the emergency number 999 to report any Firework practices.

The Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Civil Defense, stated that fireworks are considered a material that poses a great danger not only to their users but also to others, and often leads to burns, which may cause serious disabilities and deformities on their bodies, permanent or Temporary, property damage caused by fires, as well as strong sounds, affecting the eardrum.

She explained that the light, sparks and heat from the use of explosives is a major cause of damage to the eye, and the ash from the process of combustion is harmful to the skin and the eye, if the person is directly exposed, where the eye gets burns in the eyelid.

The ministry called on families to make the children aware of the dangers of fireworks, clarify this for them, and direct them to stay away from their use and non-circulation, and follow-up children and deter them from using these games, and hold them accountable, pointing out that the head of the family to inform the competent authorities about individuals and shops that sell and promote these harmful substances.

She stressed the importance of concerted efforts of all institutions and civil society organizations and the media, audio-visual and written, to raise public awareness throughout the year about the risks and damage to health and environmental resulting from the use of fireworks.

She pointed out the need to issue licenses for the companies concerned, and the organization, supervision and insurance of fireworks displays at events and celebrations, in order to ensure the safety and security of the public.

Risks and injuries

Fireworks lead to dangers related to bodily injuries, including burns to the hands, legs and faces of children, eye injuries due to flames or sparks, and loss of limbs if explosives are strong, according to specialists.

They explained that sparks or light and heat caused by the use of crackers of the main causes of damage to the body, especially the sensitive eye area. The ashes from the combustion process damage the skin and the eye if the child is exposed directly, as the eye gets burns in the eyelid and conjunctiva.

Fireworks, if exploded indoors (houses and small rooms), lead to fires, especially if they explode next to flammable materials, explaining that these explosives depend mainly on heat in ignition, and ignition leads to the possibility of burning some clothes and furniture next to them.

• Children in the country suffered burns in previous fireworks incidents.

• Fireworks pose a risk to their users, and lead to disabilities and deformities.