Having a blast?

Fireworks can be a lot of fun, but they can also be pretty dangerous. That’s why, with Guy Fawkes on November 5, the City of Cape Town has designated 12 sites for their use.

Perhaps it’s tempting to ignore the risks, but people or animals can sustain severe injuries, property can be damaged and animals can suffer severe trauma.

According to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, our pets are especially vulnerable. They’re able to hear a much broader range of sounds than humans, and the stress that they suffer when exposed to the loud fireworks can have far-reaching implications, including heightened aggression and nervousness.

In selecting the designated locations, the City followed safety criteria set out in the Community Fire Safety By-law, which include that appropriate sites must be at least 100m from buildings, railway lines and roads and at least 20m from telephone and powers lines, trees or overhead obstructions.

The 12 approved sites are:

• the Tourism Centre in Table View
• Westfleur sports field in Atlantis
• Bishop Lavis sports field
• Metropolitan sports ground in Bonteheuwel
• Delft Central sports ground
• Swartklip sports complex in Mitchells Plain
• Athlone Stadium
• Maiden’s Cove parking area in Camps Bay
• Strandfontein Pavillion
• Sarepta sports complex
• Blue Downs sports field
• Macassar Beach parking area

City Law Enforcement, Metro Police and a fire inspector will patrol the sites on Guy Fawkes Day, and people looking to enjoy themselves – hopefully responsibly – will have until 23h00 to do so.

“I hope that residents can appreciate the massive logistical exercise we deal with every year, as well as the costs associated with deploying staff to all of these areas”

“I hope that residents can appreciate the massive logistical exercise we deal with every year, as well as the costs associated with deploying staff to all of these areas,” said Alderman JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security. “We could look at designating more sites, but we simply don’t have the budget or the resources. I appeal to members of the public to use fireworks responsibly to prevent injuries, but also unnecessary inconvenience to those residents who do not partake in such activities.”

Any information about the illegal sale or use of fireworks can be directed to the Metro Police Call Centre on 0860 765 423 or SAPS on 10111. Any general emergencies can be directed via the City’s Public Emergency Call Centre on 107 from a landline, or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.