Durban - EThekwini Municipality has appealed to residents who will be celebrating Diwali on Monday, October 24, to engage in safe celebrations by discharging fireworks in the safest possible way during the allotted hours.
The city said fireworks are allowed only to be set off on October 24 from sunset until midnight.
Metro police spokesperson Geraldine Stevens, said in a statement on Friday, that if residents are engaging in the discharging of fireworks, they must do so in a responsible manner.
Stevens said residents must take into consideration the health and safety of their animals.
“Pets must be kept away from the fireworks and must have an identification tag with the details of the owner, including their home address and contact number,” she said.
According to the city, by-laws are in place that govern the lighting of fireworks.
The municipality said fines will be issued if anyone is caught in contravention.
“Residents could face fines of up to R3 500 as the admission of guilt fine for discharging fireworks on the road is R1 000, and the fine for discharging of fireworks in public is R2 500,” warned Stevens.
Fireworks must be restricted to a person’s property and not be lit on a public road, warned the city.
EThekwini Municipality by-law states:
• Low-hazard fireworks, such as fountains, lawn lights and sparkles can be lit in private homes.
• Fireworks such as air bombs, supersonic bangs, sound shells, fountain whistles and screeches are prohibited as they cause a disturbance and are a nuisance to neighbours.
• The by-law also called for children under 16 years old to be properly supervised by an adult when letting off fireworks.
• Fireworks should be detonated away from hospitals, clinics, old-age/nursing homes, animal welfare and petrol stations. Fireworks should not be pointed towards any person as this is dangerous.
• No person shall ignite, discharge or explode any fireworks on any public road, residence, or private dwelling without the knowledge and consent of the occupant or owner of the property.
• It shall be unlawful for any person to point or direct a firework at any person, animal, building or motor vehicle where such firework is in the process of exploding or detonating.
• No person shall light or detonate fireworks in any place where animals are kept.
• No person may terrify, cause stress or endanger the life of any animal with fireworks or by any other means.
• Residents are also reminded that fireworks cannot be recycled and therefore they need to be disposed appropriately, in black bin bags.
• The municipality urges residents not to dispose fireworks in orange refuse bags
For emergencies, contact 031 361 0000.