Pyrotechnics

As the Christmas and New Year holidays approach, and based on past experience, citizens and economic entities are actively purchasing pyrotechnic products for subsequent use or sale.

An analysis of the situation regarding the circulation of pyrotechnic products indicates a sharp increase in their flow into the republic during the preparation and celebration of Christmas and New Year holidays.

The use of pyrotechnic products, as a rule, causes a negative reaction from citizens, their justified appeals to various authorities to take measures against those responsible and maintain proper public order, and leads to injuries, primarily among minors.

Every year, there are citizens who, circumventing the law, try to distribute pyrotechnic products of dubious origin in the district.

Illegal import, distribution, and, as a consequence, use of these pyrotechnics by our citizens, and most frighteningly, by children, is taking place.

The fact that minors are involved in the distribution of pyrotechnics is alarming, as illegal traders of dangerous items use them to avoid responsibility for violating established legal rules.

To identify and suppress illegal sales of pyrotechnic devices, including in markets and other public places, and to prevent their use by citizens, territorial internal affairs bodies, in cooperation with interested parties, annually conduct a set of preventive measures.

To identify and suppress the aforementioned facts, the internal affairs bodies of Postavy district will conduct a set of preventive measures from December 20, 2020, to January 10, 2021, aimed at suppressing the illegal sale and use of pyrotechnic products.

IT IS NECESSARY TO REMEMBER

By Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 475 of August 11, 2020, "On the circulation of pyrotechnic products," a ban on wholesale and retail trade of pyrotechnic products has been introduced throughout the country (the ban is planned to be lifted for household pyrotechnic products of hazard class I – sparklers, party poppers, cake fountains (cold fire fountains)).

As the Christmas and New Year holidays approach, the demand for pyrotechnic products among citizens increases. In this regard, the use of pyrotechnic products in violation of the established procedure, as well as in places with mass gatherings of citizens, poses a real threat to the life and health of the population, citizens' property, and causes justified complaints about the work of law enforcement agencies. There is also an increased incidence of injuries among citizens due to their failure to comply with the rules for using pyrotechnic products.

Currently, administrative liability for illegal sale, use, and transportation of pyrotechnic products is provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.

Regarding the transportation of pyrotechnic products by individuals, it is necessary to conduct a check for the presence of elements of an administrative offense under Article 12.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (Illegal entrepreneurial activity) in the actions of these persons.

When using pyrotechnic products in public places, the actions of offenders may be classified under Article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (petty hooliganism).

If pyrotechnic products cause damage to life and health of citizens as a result of their use, criminal liability arises under various articles, depending on the circumstances and severity of the consequences.

As a rule, the use of pyrotechnic products causes a negative reaction from citizens, their justified appeals to various authorities to take measures against those responsible and maintain proper public order, and also leads to injuries, primarily among minors. Therefore, we would like to warn and also tell respected parents to exercise more careful control over their children on the eve of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Head of the Department of Law Enforcement and Prevention of Postavy District Department of Internal Affairs

Police Lieutenant Colonel D.A. Sologub