For 25 dirhams and free delivery… platforms promoting Ramadan “Shalaq”

Recently, illegal advertisements have been active on social media promoting fireworks (locally called shalak), which are usually bought by teenagers and young men, especially during this period, as they are used inside residential neighborhoods after breaking the fast, as an expression of joy and delight in the month of Ramadan, but they pose a danger to their safety and the safety of others.

The Commander of the Special Security Forces, Director of the Weapons and Explosives Directorate at the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Abdul Rahman Al Mansouri, warned in a statement to Emirates Today about the legal and health consequences of using and promoting fireworks, calling for reporting unlicensed sources of sale.

He stressed that any transgression in this context constitutes a criminal crime, especially with the increase in attempts to trade through digital platforms, as the competent authorities monitor violating accounts and take legal measures against those in charge of them.

Two emergency and pediatric doctors warned of several health risks that fireworks practitioners may face, as they confirmed a high incidence of injuries resulting from them during seasonal events and celebrations, including the month of Ramadan. They said that it includes burns of various degrees, serious eye injuries, and cuts or lacerations to the hands and fingers, and in some cases it may lead to partial or complete amputation of the fingers as a result of the direct explosion in the hand.

In detail, Emirates Today monitored advertisements promoted by shops and individuals, selling “shalak” wholesale or in small quantities, at reduced prices, as the price of a small carton containing 10 bags does not exceed 25 dirhams, with free delivery for those wishing to anywhere in the country.

The owners of these advertisements display fireworks for sale through electronic accounts and websites they have created for this purpose, where they display pictures of them with the aim of attracting customers, and invite them to contact them to agree on delivering the required goods to their places of residence.

The country’s police authorities have warned against selling and promoting fireworks among children, especially during the holy month of Ramadan and the holiday season, because of the danger they pose to their users and the safety of others.

During the past years, it launched several campaigns to combat the smuggling and promotion of fireworks, and arrested a number of those involved in selling them.

One of the most prominent cases was the seizure of 18.5 tons of fireworks in 2024, after the Ras Al Khaimah Police ousted the “merchant” who was offering them for sale inside a small house, where 1,038 boxes were found in his possession, containing packages of various shapes, types, and sizes, which prohibited their circulation and use in the country, while the large quantities were stored in an unsafe manner, on a farm behind the house, in one of the regions of the emirate.

Sharjah Police were able to arrest five people of Arab nationalities, for their involvement in offering fireworks for sale through social networking sites and delivering them to those wishing them in various emirates of the country, after carrying out several elaborate electronic ambushes, which enabled them to catch the promoters of fireworks whose sale is prohibited.

Abu Dhabi Police arrested a student of Gulf nationality, promoting fireworks on social media, after finding in his possession 14 boxes, containing 483 toys and firecrackers of dangerous types, stored in his residence for the purpose of illegal trade.

In turn, the Ministry of the Interior, represented by the Weapons and Explosives Directorate, warned all segments of society and vendors against trading fireworks (fireworks) whether in commercial stores or through social media, stressing that promoting, trading, or using them without a license from the competent authorities exposes the perpetrator to legal accountability.

The Commander of the Special Security Forces, Director of the Weapons and Explosives Directorate at the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier General Abdul Rahman Ali Al Mansouri, told Emirates Today that fireworks pose a major threat to the safety of individuals and society, stressing that the Ministry is intensifying its awareness and control campaigns during the holy month of Ramadan with its partners to reduce this phenomenon, within a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing community safety and reducing dangerous behaviors associated with seasonal events.

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He added that the Ministry of Interior calls on families to educate their children about the dangers of using fireworks, especially in the period after breakfast, which witnesses violations by some children and teenagers.

He called for calling the emergency number (999) to report any practices related to fireworks, and not to be negligent in reporting unlicensed sales sources in order to preserve the safety of society.

He explained that fireworks often cause injuries that may lead to serious permanent or temporary disabilities and deformities, in addition to damage to property as a result of fires.

He added that light, sparks and heat from fireworks are a major cause of eye damage, and the ash resulting from the combustion process harms the skin and eyes when exposed directly to it, and may lead to burns on the eyelids, and some injuries may require urgent surgical intervention or long-term treatment. This exposes the perpetrator to the penalties stipulated in Federal Decree Law No. (31) of 2021 in Article (390), as “anyone who assaults the safety of another person’s body by any means shall be punished with imprisonment and a fine.” Article (360) of the same law also stipulates that “whoever accidentally causes the fire of something owned by others shall be punished by imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 10 thousand dirhams.”

Al-Mansouri pointed out that Federal Decree Law No. (17) of 2019 regarding weapons, ammunition, explosives, and military equipment classified fireworks within the category of “explosives,” and subjected their circulation, import, manufacture, and possession to a prior license from the competent authorities, stressing that any transgression in this framework is a criminal offense, especially with the increase in attempts to trade through digital platforms, as the competent authorities monitor violating accounts and take legal measures against those in charge of them.

Article (54) of the same law also stipulates that “anyone who trades in fireworks, imports, exports, manufactures, enters, or exits to or from the country without a license shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of not less than one year and a fine of not less than 100,000 dirhams, or by one of these two penalties.” Article (64) stipulates that “anyone who violates the provisions of the law or the regulations or decisions issued in implementation thereof shall be punished with imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not less than 50 thousand dirhams, or one of these two penalties,” within the framework of the state’s keenness to protect lives and property.

The Ministry of Interior called on parents to monitor their children’s behavior in the field, and to educate them about the legal and health consequences of using fireworks, and the harm that may result to others.

Al Mansouri stressed the importance of families’ cooperation with the competent authorities by following up on children and deterring them from using these fireworks, and reporting individuals, shops, websites, electronic accounts, or any means of social media that sell or promote these fireworks, in order to preserve the security and safety of society, noting that shared social responsibility represents the first line of defense in preventing accidents and crimes and promoting a culture of compliance with the law.

Both emergency medicine consultant Dr. Nidal Shawish and pediatrician Dr. Hani Al-Hindawi warned of the serious health risks associated with children’s use of fireworks during evening Ramadan gatherings, stressing that these practices may lead to serious injuries that can be avoided with awareness and family supervision.

Shawish explained that during seasonal events and celebrations, including the month of Ramadan, emergency departments witness a noticeable increase in cases of injuries resulting from fireworks, especially among children and teenagers. These injuries include burns of various degrees, serious eye injuries, cuts or lacerations to the hands and fingers, and in some cases may lead to partial or complete amputation of the fingers as a result of the direct explosion in the hand.

He added that the danger of fireworks is not limited to the person who lights them only, but extends to those around him, as the projectiles may deflect or explode randomly, leading to unexpected injuries to the face or chest. Inhaling the resulting dense smoke may cause severe respiratory crises, especially in asthma patients or those suffering from chronic chest diseases.

He stressed that incorrect handling of injuries, such as applying toothpaste or ice directly to burns, may further complicate the condition. He stressed the need to immediately go to the nearest emergency department when any injury occurs, and not to underestimate its seriousness, pointing out that prevention always remains the safest option by preventing children from using fireworks altogether.

For his part, Dr. Hani Al-Hindawi pointed out that children by nature lack a full appreciation of risks, and tend to imitate their peers during Ramadan gatherings, which increases the possibility of them being exposed to physical and psychological injuries. In addition to burns and wounds, the child may be exposed to psychological shock as a result of the sound of strong explosions or scenes of injury, which may be reflected in anxiety or sleep disturbances later.

He explained that children’s skin is more sensitive and delicate compared to adults, which makes their burns deeper and slower to heal, and may leave permanent scars that affect the growth of the skin in the future. Eye injuries in children may lead to long-term complications, such as weak or partial vision, which constitutes a health and psychological burden on the child and his family.

He stressed the importance of the family’s role in educating children about the dangers of these behaviors, and providing safe alternatives to celebrating Ramadan, such as organized entertainment activities or licensed community events that are held under the supervision of the competent authorities. He concluded by emphasizing that protecting children is a collective responsibility, and that preserving their safety reflects the true values ​​of the holy month of Ramadan, which are based on mercy and concern for others.

• Several health risks that fireworks practitioners may face, including burns of various degrees, serious eye injuries, and cuts or lacerations to the hands and fingers.

• Attempts to trade through digital platforms are increasing, while the competent authorities monitor violating accounts and take legal measures against those in charge of them.