From October until January the use of fireworks will increase owing to festivals such as Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) as well as Guy Fawkes and New Year’s celebrations.
This might be fun for a few, but can cause harm especially to pets.
Resident Taryn Coghlan along with two friends have taken it upon themselves to become the voice of the voiceless in their campaign to get fireworks banned.
They call themselves Concerned Community against Fireworks and the campaign revolves around a petition that has garnered over 8 000 signatures so far.
“There is legislation in place, the Explosive Act no 26 of 1956 but it is very poorly policed,” says Coghlan.
“However, we do see some success in areas where security companies and police work closely together,” she says.
“What angers me is the negligent selling of fireworks – even next to the road and I know of a shop in Maraisburg that only sells fireworks and breaks the law by displaying the fireworks,” says Coghlan.
According to the Explosives Act “it is unlawful to discharge any firework in any building, on any public thoroughfare or in any public place or resort without prior written permission of the local authority”. The act continues to stipulate that fireworks may not be displayed in shops and in order to explode fireworks one has to have permission from the Chief Inspector of Explosives and have a fire marshall present.
Coghlan tells some horror stories of animals injuring themselves by jumping through windows, impaling themselves and even owls getting injured and dying because of firework explosions.
“I find it highly disturbing that a person can be arrested for driving after having two alcoholic beverages but that same person can get drunk on New Year’s eve and handle explosives,” says Coghlan. She also points out that in most cases fireworks are exploded by inebriated people.
Metro Police could not be reached for comment.
Concerned Community against Fireworks’ petition is available at selected veterinary clinics; alternatively Coghlan can be reached on 082 3362190 or at taryn.coghlan@gmail.com.
