City of Cape Town Link

Fireworks safety

<div class="ExternalClass29940203A8F04AC0B01E9186B027905A"><p>Fireworks are beautiful and fun to watch, but they can also be very dangerous. Follow our safety tips to protect your family and pets from potential harm, and prevent damage to your property.</p></div>

<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Safety tips</h2></span> <ul><li>Make sure that your children and their friends are supervised at all times when around fireworks </li><li>Do not discharge fireworks indoors </li><li>Never keep lit fireworks in your hand - this could lead to severe injuries </li><li>Fireworks are not allowed in residential areas. Only discharge fireworks at designated sites away from people, animals, homes and cars </li><li>If a firework doesn’t ignite, don’t attempt to re-light it. Wait at least 15 minutes before you try again </li><li>Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby in case of a malfunctioning firework </li><li>Sparklers can be just as dangerous. Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves </li><li>Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand. Put finished sparklers with the hot end down in a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out </li><li>Only light one firework at a time </li><li>Do not make your own fireworks </li><li>Only use fireworks as directed by the instructions printed on the package. </li><li>Make sure that your clothes are not close to or hanging over the fireworks when you ignite them </li><li>Do not light fireworks inside any type of container </li><li>The <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Community%20Fire%20Safety%20By-law.pdf" target="_blank">Community Fire Safety By-law</a> prohibits the use of Chinese lanterns </li><li>Never discharge fireworks while under the influence of alcohol</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Fireworks and animals</h2><p>Fireworks expose pets, wild animals and livestock to immense stress. Your pets may become visibly distressed or try to escape and run away during a fireworks display.</p><h4>To keep your pets safe:</h4><ul><li>Bring them inside and give them access to a room that is safe and secure. You can create a small den for them with blankets, pillows and their favourite toys </li><li> Make sure your pets have identification such as a micro-chip or dog tag in case they run off </li><li>Draw the curtains and play calming music to mask any noise </li><li>If you know that your pet reacts badly to fireworks, seek professional advice from your veterinarian who may prescribe a sedative to help them cope<br>(Source: <a href="https://capespca.co.za/news/how-to-protect-your-pets-from-fireworks/" target="_blank">Cape of Good Hope SPCA<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>)</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Permits, fines and offences</h2><p>Using or discharging fireworks without a valid permit is illegal and dangerous. You must ensure that you have the necessary permission before you host a fireworks display.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Filming-and-events/apply-for-a-permit-to-display-fireworks">Apply for a permit to display fireworks</a></p></div></div></span> <p>Strict conditions, in terms of the City’s Community Fire Safety By-Law, have to be adhered to before and during a fireworks display to reduce any potential risk to public health and safety. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of the By-law may result in a fine or imprisonment. </p><p>The import and sale of fireworks without the necessary permissions outlined in the <a href="https://www.gov.za/documents/explosives-act-22-may-2015-1347#:~:text=The%20repealed%20Explosives%20Act%2026%2cand%20the%20use%20of%20explosives" target="_blank">Explosives Act of 1956<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> is illegal, as is the discharge of fireworks in an area not specifically designated for it.</p><p>For more information about the location of designated sites near you, contact the Disaster Operations Centre on <em> <a>080 911 4357</a></em>.</p><ul><li>The sale of fireworks to a person that is not in possession of a valid permit from the South African Police Service (SAPS) is illegal. You cannot purchase or sell fireworks without a permit. </li><li>Make sure you only purchase fireworks from a licensed dealer. A legitimate firework dealer shop will be identifiable by the sign ‘dealer in fireworks’. </li></ul><h4>You may not explode a firework:</h4><ul><li>within 200 metres of any hospital, clinic, petrol station, old-age home, nursing home, or animal welfare organisation; </li><li>inside any building or on a public street; </li><li>in any other public place or recreational area, unless you have valid permission to do so.</li></ul><p>The following fines are applicable, in terms of section 30 of the Explosives Act:</p> <span> <table style="width:548px;"><thead><tr><th>OFFENCE</th><th style="width:149px;">FINE AMOUNT</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Allowing a child or person under the age of 16 to handle fireworks without adult supervision</td><td style="width:149px;">R300</td></tr><tr><td>Selling fireworks to a child or anyone under the age of 16</td><td style="width:149px;">R300</td></tr><tr><td>Use or detonation of any fireworks in any building and/or public thoroughfare</td><td style="width:149px;">R200.</td></tr></tbody></table></span> <h4>To report the illegal sale or use of fireworks:</h4><ul><li>Call <a>107</a> from a landline or <a>021 480 7700</a> from a cell phone </li><li>Call SAPS on <a>10111</a></li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Injuries and emergencies</h2><ul><li>Most firework injuries in children occur during the first week of November and include injuries to the hands, fingers, face and eyes. </li><li>Burn injuries are one of the most common and devastating forms of trauma and can cause lifelong scarring, disfigurement and dysfunction or even death. </li><li>Children have thinner skin compared to adults and their skin burns more intensely at lower temperatures, making them more susceptible to harsher burns with long-term effects. </li><li>In South Africa, burns are the third most common cause of accidental death among children under 14 years, exceeded only by motor vehicle accidents and drowning. </li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>did you know</h4><p>The <a href="https://www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za/the-hospital/" target="_blank">Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> is the only dedicated children’s hospital in Africa with a specialised paediatric Burns Unit. Every year the hospital treats approximately 3 500 children for burns. An estimated 1 300 of these cases are severe burns.</p></div></div></span> <h4>In the event of a burn injury:</h4><ul><li>Cool the burn or rinse with cold water for at least 10 minutes. </li><li>Cut around material sticking to the skin – do not pull it off. </li><li>Do not touch the burn or burst any blisters. </li><li>Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material to prevent infection - cling wrap is ideal.</li></ul><h4>If your clothes catch fire:</h4><ul><li>Stop </li><li>Drop to the floor </li><li>Roll around in heavy material such as a woollen blanket</li></ul><p>To report a fire call <a>107</a> from a landline or <a>021 480 7700</a> from a cell phone.</p>

Follow our safety tips to protect your family and pets from potential harm.