Following the incident-free Diwali celebrations in Cape Town on 17 October, the City of Cape Town is again appealing to residents to be safety conscious on Guy Fawkes on 5 November.

"The Diwali celebrations were very quiet, and there were no complaints. We are appealing to people to keep their celebrations peaceful for Guy Fawkes," says Wilfred Solomons-Johannes of the Disaster Risk Management Centre.

Guy Fawkes Night is celebrated throughout the world in memory of the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 5 November 1605, in which a number of conspirators, the most prominent being Guy Fawkes, allegedly tried to blow up the British Houses of Parliament in London.

It has since become an annual celebration, marked by the use of fireworks and lighting of bonfires.

In honour of Guy Fawkes, the City has designated a number of sites where people may discharge shop bought fireworks. It is illegal to discharge them anywhere else without obtaining permission from the Chief Inspector of Explosives and the City.

Approved sites:

Cape Town

• Mnandi Beach parking area (near Law Enforcement office)
• Maiden’s Cove parking area
• Strandfontein Beach parking area
• Athlone Stadium parking area
  

Helderberg

• Gordon’s Bay Main Beach
• Strand Beach (at Deep Blue)
• Macassar Beach
  

South Peninsula

• Sunrise Beach, Muizenberg
• Fish Hoek Beach
• Hout Bay Beach
  
  

Tygerberg

• De Grendel Sports Ground, Parow
• Nooitgedacht Sports Ground, Bishop Lavis
• Sports Ground in Roosendal Street, Delft
  
  

Oostenberg

• Blue Downs Sports Stadium, Hindle Road, Delft
  
  

Blaauwberg

• Mamre Park, opposite SAPS
• Wesfleur Sportsfield, Atlantis
• Palms site, Milnerton
• Blaauwberg Beach, area opposite KFC (Blaauwberg Road)
  
  

These sites will be monitored by law enforcement agencies.

The City also reminds residents that people discharging shop goods fireworks at these sites do so at their own risk. The City will not be held liable for any claims for injury or damage that can occur from using fireworks.

Members of the public who would like to buy fireworks should avoid buying them from informal traders and street hawkers. For safety’s sake, the fireworks must be sold in sealed packages, as received from the suppliers. Children under the age of 16 may not buy fireworks, and are not allowed to use them without adult supervision. .

The City also appeals to pet owners to keep their animals indoors as soon as it gets dark, and to close the windows and draw the curtains in order to lessen the acute discomfort and terror that they can suffer when fireworks are discharged.

Fireworks that are being illegally discharged can be reported to the Metro Police Control Centre on 0860 765 423, or the SAPS Emergency Control Centre on 10111.

In emergencies, the public may contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 107 (or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone).

General enquiries can be directed to the City’s Corporate Call Centre 0on 860 103 089 or the Disaster Risk Management Centre on 080 911 4357.