With the last days of Ramadan here and Eid approaching, it is no surprise the night skies are being lit up by celebratory firework displays.
Authorities say they are expecting to see even more in the coming days, despite a ban on the sale or personal use of fireworks in the UAE.
In an effort to prevent the practice, police have intensified their efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of amateur pyrotechnics.
“Fireworks are dangerous on several levels,” said Col Abdullah al Ghaithi, the acting director of the Security Organisation, Protective Security and Emergency Department at Dubai Police. “It poses a health hazard and a fire hazard for surrounding cars and buildings.”
Col al Gaithi’s department carries out annual campaigns every Ramadan to crack down on the illegal sale of fireworks and to educate the public about its danger.
“We target those selling the firework as this is the root of the problem,” he said.
This week, Dubai Police announced the seizure of 27 tonnes of illegal fireworks. The explosives, disguised as school stationery for children, entered the country through an undisclosed port.
Three people have been arrested in connection with the case, including a customs employee who police suspect of collaborating with the smugglers to let their container pass in exchange for Dh5,000.
As part of their campaign, police are also educating shop owners about the dangers of storing fireworks without the required health and safety regulations and informing them the act is punishable by law.
Between 2007 and 2009, Dubai Police seized and destroyed more than 200 tonnes of fireworks.
“These campaigns have proved their efficiency on an annual basis and people are becoming more aware of fireworks, but the problem still exists and we need to fight it,” said Col al Gaithi.
Dr Nizar Kisaieh, a consultant at Rashid Hospital, said fireworks accidents can cause major injuries, including third-degree burns and blindness.
“There are no solid statistics on the number of firework-related injuries in the UAE, but they usually increase in the last days of Ramadan and during Eid. Many of these accidents happen in settings which lack supervision,” Dr Kisaieh observed.
Injuries are usually divided into two categories, according to Dr Kisaieh: either self-inflicted by users or accidentally inflicted on bystanders.
A joint team consisting of members from the Security Organisation, Protective Security and Emergency Department, the Criminal Investigation Department, the Economic Department and the Islamic Affairs and Awaqaf Department has been formed to educate the public through seminars in Ramadan tents and at sports and social clubs.
The awareness campaigns are not limited to Dubai — most of the country’s emirates are carrying out similar campaigns to combat the problem.
Earlier this week, Abu Dhabi Police launched two awareness campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of fireworks.
Col Humaid al A’afrit, the head of the Weapons and Explosion Department at Abu Dhabi Police, urged the public not to use fireworks and to report any violations as well as places that illegally sell fireworks.