UAE: Minimum Dh50,000 fine for violating fireworks regulations; authority issues warning ahead of Eid Al Fitr

The UAE's Public Prosecution on Saturday reminded residents that strict rules and regulations apply when lighting fireworks in the country.

Ahead of Eid Al Fitr celebrations, the authority issued an advisory reiterating that a permit should be obtained from a licensing entity before setting off fireworks.

"Whoever sets off firework shows without a permit from the licensing authority in accordance with Article 39 and Article 59 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2019, concerning weapons, ammunitions, explosives, military hardware, and hazardous substances, shall be sentenced to imprisonment and/or fined a monetary penalty," it said.

The fine, it added, will not be lower than Dh50,000.

Police forces across the country have earlier warned residents, particularly parents, of the dangers associated with the use of illegal firecrackers during celebrations.

In a video advisory posted to Twitter recently, the Abu Dhabi Police urged parents to keep an eye on their children and prevent them from buying and using fireworks.

"Children tend to be tempted to purchase crackers during festive periods such as Eid, the authority warns, but the consequences of using them can be severe, leading to physical injury, such as burns or even permanent disfiguration," it said.

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