SR5,000 reward for reporting firecrackers warehouses

RIYADH — Five thousand riyals will be given as a reward to anyone who reports a firecrackers warehouse that stores no less than 4,000 items at toll free number 1900, said the Ministry of Commerce and Investment in an announcement today, an Arabic daily reported. The identity of the one reporting the warehouse will be held in strict confidentiality and will not be revealed, according to the announcement. The ministry stressed that it is cooperating with concerned authorities to crack down on all selling activities of firecrackers. Firecrackers can inflict permanent deformities and others harms on children, the majority of whom do not realize the danger these items pose to them. Many a fire accident happens as a result of messing around firecrackers, especially around this time of the year. Over the past year, the markets have seen really dangerous firecrackers that have the impact of small explosives. Last Eid Al-Fitr Holidays, Riyadh-based King Khalid Eye Hospital said it admitted 78 children, 20 of whom had lost their eyesight, because of firecrackers. Similarly, newspapers reported various injuries in several parts of the country all caused by firecrackers. These days, Civil Defense and Police officers are conducting intensive crackdown campaigns Kingdomwide to arrest sellers of firecrackers. Both agencies have issued announcements warning the public against buying all types of firecrackers as they might result in tragic consequences. Riyadh Police spokesman Col. Fawaz Al-Maiman said Saudi laws bans all activities of selling firecrackers and impose heavy fines and penalties on violators. He urged parents to keep a close eye on their children and explain to their sons the dangers of using firecrackers.