Public Notice: No Fireworks Allowed in George and surrounds
Issued George Mun, 20 December 2022
George Municipality reminds the public that due to the high fire risk, the setting off, and possession of fireworks, firecrackers, flares, paper lanterns and other such paraphernalia in the George municipal area is not allowed.
Strict Fireworks Legislation
George has strict firework legislation and according to the Bylaw on Community Safety, Section 58 (13) No person may discharge fireworks outside of a designated Fire Works Area. No Fire Works area has been made available in George and should someone be caught discharging a firework, a flare or lighting a Chinese lantern an immediate fine of R1000 is applicable as well as a potential charge of arson.
Confiscation Notices
Law Enforcement Services together with other Role players would start with the compliance campaign by doing continuous inspections at shops in all areas. Confiscation notices and Fines will be issued to non-compliant shops and confiscated fireworks will handed over to the SAPS Explosives unit for disposal.
Marine Flares
Setting off marine rocket flares for fun is hugely dangerous and irresponsible. NSRI is compelled to log and investigate each and every incident in case it is a real emergency which of course takes up their time and valuable resources and, more seriously, could detract from genuine flare sightings. It is also hugely dangerous for those setting off the flares, which, as they are quite costly, we suspect are also probably out of date. Marine guidance notes explain that all old flares need to be disposed of correctly.
Rocket flares degrade with time and there have been cases where the rocket propellant separates from the parachute and you are left with an uncontrolled flare which then comes back down and hits the person who has fired it off.
Enforcement
George Municipality will firmly enforce the applicable by-laws and Law Enforcement officials will be deployed at various areas and beaches throughout the season to attend to fireworks complaints.
Pets and fireworks
This will hopefully assist in reducing the noise levels and allow people (and their pets) to plan for “noisy” periods thus allowing for a quieter, safer environment for all concerned. For some pets, especially dogs and cats with particularly noise-sensitive ears, the sound of fireworks can cause intense fear responses. Some pets will go to extremes to hide, others get startled and run away, and general anxiety caused by unexpected loud sounds can have long-lasting effects on animals.
Other impacts of fireworks- did you know?
Bees become so disorientated they don’t go back to their hives.
Birds have panic attacks at night causing mass deaths.
Fish and other animals perish after ingesting fireworks debris.
Companion animals have anxiety and panic attacks.
Fireworks can also trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in people.
Please report the illegal setting off of fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
Please report the illegal trade in fireworks to 044 801 6350 or after hours at 044 801 6300.
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311
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Openbare Kennisgewing: Geen vuurwerke word in George en omgewing toegelaat nie
Uitgereik deur George Munisipaliteit vir onmiddellike vrystelling
George Munisipaliteit herinner die publiek daaraan dat weens die hoë brandrisiko, die afvuur, en besit van vuurwerke, klappers, fakkels, papierlanterns en ander sulke toebehore in die George munisipale gebied nie toegelaat word nie.
Streng vuurwerkwetgewing
George het streng vuurwerkwetgewing en volgens die Verordening op Gemeenskapsveiligheid, Artikel 58 (13) mag geen persoon vuurwerke buite ‘n aangewese Vuurwerkgebied afvuur nie. Daar is geen vuurwerkgebied in George beskikbaar gestel nie en sou iemand gevang word wat ‘n vuurwerk, ‘n fakkel of ‘n Chinese lantern aansteek, is ‘n onmiddellike boete van R1000 van toepassing asook ‘n moontlike klag van brandstigting.
Beslagleggingskennisgewings
Wetstoepassingsdienste sal saam met ander rolspelers met die nakomingsveldtog begin deur deurlopende inspeksies by winkels in alle gebiede te doen. Beslagleggingskennisgewings en boetes sal uitgereik word aan winkels wat nie aan die vereistes voldoen nie en gekonfiskeerde vuurwerke sal aan die SAPD se plofstofeenheid oorhandig word vir vernietiging.
Mariene vuurpylfakkels
Dit is uiters gevaarlik en onverantwoordelik om mariene vuurpylfakkels vir die pret te laat afgaan. NSRI is verplig om elke voorval aan te teken en te ondersoek ingeval dit ‘n werklike noodgeval is, wat natuurlik hul tyd en waardevolle hulpbronne in beslag neem en nog ernstiger, afbreuk kan doen aan werklike fakkelwaarnemings. Dit is ook uiters gevaarlik vir diegene wat die fakkels afvuur aangesien dit redelik duur is en waarskynlik verouderd. Luidens Mariene handleidingnotas moet alle ou fakkels korrek vernietig word. Vuurpylfakkels versleg mettertyd en daar was al gevalle waar die vuurpyldryfmiddel van die valskerm skei en jy sit met ‘n onbeheerde fakkel wat dan terugkom en die persoon wat dit afgevuur het, tref.
Handhawing
George Munisipaliteit sal die toepaslike verordeninge streng toepas en Wetstoepassingsbeamptes sal deur die seisoen by verskeie gebiede en strande ontplooi word om aandag te gee aan vuurwerkklagtes.
Troeteldiere en vuurwerke
Hierdie sal hopelik help om die geraasvlakke te verminder en mense (en hul troeteldiere) in staat stel om te beplan vir “geraas” periodes en sodoende ‘n stiller, veiliger omgewing vir alle betrokkenes, moontlik te maak. Vir sommige troeteldiere, veral honde en katte met besonder geraas-sensitiewe ore, kan die geluid van vuurwerke intense vreesreaksies veroorsaak. Sommige troeteldiere gaan tot uiterstes om weg te kruip, ander skrik en hardloop weg, en algemene angs wat deur onverwagte harde geluide veroorsaak word, kan langdurige uitwerking op diere hê.
Ander impakte van vuurwerke – het jy geweet?
Bye raak so gedisoriënteerd dat hulle nie teruggaan na hul korwe nie.
Voëls ondergaan paniekaanvalle in die nag wat massa-vrektes veroorsaak.
Visse en ander diere vergaan nadat hulle vuurwerkrommel ingeneem het.
Geselskapsdiere het angs- en paniekaanvalle.
Vuurwerke kan ook posttraumatiese stresversteuring by mense veroorsaak.
Rapporteer asseblief die onwettige afvuur van vuurwerke by 044 801 6350 of na-ure by 044 801 6300.
Meld asseblief die onwettige handel in vuurwerke by 044 801 6350 of na-ure by 044 801 6300 aan.
BRANDNOODGEVALLE: 044 801 6311
