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VISION 2002
Before listing the
pertinent clauses contained in the Municipal Bylaws that currently
govern the purchase, sale and use of fireworks, we need to dwell on
the full import of the terminology used by the Hibiscus Coast
Municipality in Vision 2002.
Per the Oxford English
Dictionary:
-
Inhabitant:
a
person or an animal that dwells in a place
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Safe:
uninjured; secure; out of or not exposed to danger
-
Healthy:
conducive to good soundness of body
Fireworks are
dangerous and always cause injury to some inhabitant. In addition to
the extreme noise pollution, their toxic outfall damages the health
of both creatures and the environment. Furthermore, they can
cause damage and destruction to both property and vegetation.
Considering the
continuous barrage of loud and percussive fireworks that shook the
Hibiscus Coast in the 2006 December season, is Vision 2002 being
achieved?
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Well managed:
were the bylaws enforced?
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Provincial
leader: did our municipality show the way?
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Quality
services: did Protection Services perform its duties?
Now would be an ideal
time for qualitative and quantitative measurement of Vision 2002 and
to consider the more stringent fireworks Bylaws being promulgated
by leading nations.
Our key aim is to
stop, or at least minimise, the level of injury and nuisance caused
by the anti-social use of fireworks, and to support the fire service
and local authority in this campaign.
EXTRACT FROM MUNICIPAL FIRE BRIGADE BYLAWS
DISCHARGE OF
FIREWORKS
The discharge of fireworks within the Municipal area is unlawful
with exception of the following days:
(a) 1 January
(b) the 2 (two) days of the Deepavali Festival
and any other day for
public display of fireworks if Council's permission is obtained (in
writing).
DEALER IN FIREWORKS
No person may deal in
fireworks within the area unless he/she is in possession of a
licence to trade in fireworks as contemplated in section 7 of the
Explosives Act, 1956.
The licence for
dealing in fireworks, issued by the Chief Inspector of Explosives,
must at all times be displayed in a prominent place at the counter
containing fireworks, and the licence must be legible at all times.
Notices, in red
letters (at least 100 mm high) on a white background, which read
"DEALER IN
FIREWORKS/HANDELAAR IN VUURWERK",
must be affixed prominently to the outside of the premises at every
entrance to the premises and must at all times be legible.
Fireworks must be
enclosed in the original inner packaging as received from the
manufacturer
The quantity of fireworks that may be kept on the premises of a
retail dealer is governed.
DEALING IN
FIREWORKS
All fireworks offered
for sale and/or displayed in or on the premises must be behind glass
at all times or, alternatively, in a place where the public has no
access to them.
No fireworks may be
sold or offered to any person who is apparently younger than 16
years.
All fireworks must be offered for sale in the original packaging.
No acids, flammable
liquids and/or flammable gases may be kept, stored or sold in or on
premises where fireworks are also kept, stored or sold.
No devices producing
an open flame may be kept, stored or sold in or on premises where
fireworks are also kept, stored or sold.
No electrical device
and/or apparatus generating heat may be permitted or brought within
7 m of any fireworks
All matches and
cigarette lighters must be kept at least 5 m from any fireworks.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A
PUBLIC FIREWORKS DISPLAY
A suitably qualified
pyrotechnician must apply to the Chief Inspector of Explosives in
the magisterial district of the Service for a public fireworks
display.
At a public display of
fireworks it shall be an offence:
(a) for any person
wilfully to enter or remain in that area reserved for receiving
falling residue from aerial fireworks:
(b) for any unauthorized person wilfully to proceed beyond the area
demarcated by the organizers of the display for spectators: and
(c) to disobey the instruction of a uniformed law enforcement
officer.
REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE PRIVATE DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS
No fireworks may be
discharged on a private residential Erf unless all the distances
referred to in this annexure can be maintained. (100m) |
