Every festive season, residents often use fireworks to celebrate Christmas and the start of the new year, but this needs to be done cautiously while protecting domestic animals.
While the SPCA advises against the use of fireworks, the society believes that if any individual thinks it’s cultural or practical to let off explosions, then fireworks should be designated to wide open fields far from suburban or built-up areas that do not host wild or domestic animals.
“They must consider the safety of animals, people and the environment,” said Randburg SPCA general manager Craig Rudman.
To ensure the safety of animals at this time, residents should keep their domestic animals indoors, keep the curtains drawn and put on soothing music to help drown out the fireworks and interact with their animals.
“Another method is consulting your vet for mild tranquilisers,” he said.
Rudman urged residents to ensure that their pets are safe and unable to escape the property. This includes jumping the wall, palisade fences and digging holes. “Microchip your pet in case it gets lost and is found as a stray and is taken to a vet or any SPCA. This makes it very easy to find the owner.”
He indicated that if a pet or wild animal is found wandering around outside a home, it is considered a stray. He said the law states that if a stray is picked up, it should be brought to the SPCA or municipal pound for admission.
When admission is complete, the animal gets an examination for injuries and is microchipped. Should there be any sign of injury, the animal is taken to the vet for assessment and treatment. All strays have 96 hours to be claimed and if no person claims in that time frame, the animal becomes the property of the pound, thereafter the animal is put up for adoption.
He said if the animal does get claimed and there had to be vet treatment, the owner could be liable for the vet account.
Another option is to take the pet in your home and comfort them if they are socialised and take them to the SPCA the next day.
“Be careful of aggressive animals, some appear to be friendly on the surface but when approached may be the opposite, and so always take care how you approach a stray animal. Most suburbs or estates have social media groups if you find a stray ask your group chat. If the stray animal is injured please call your nearest SPCA for assistance,” he said.
Adoption
Residents can adopt animals. Any person who is interested in adopting may visit the SPCA and they will be given the adoption procedures to go through. Randburg SPCA has a user-friendly written procedure that outlines the whole adoption process.
It is always the pre-home inspection that determines the approval or decline of the adoption.
The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) is committed to making the festive season joyous and safe and appeals to residents for their corporation and support. The entity’s spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, provided the following guidelines when using fireworks.
Safe firework usage
To reduce the risk of fire and burn injury, the City recommends that public firework displays should be organised and monitored by firework experts. Public displays of fireworks should be authorised by the Council at least 14 days before the date of the proposed event.
However, if you choose to have a family fireworks display on your property, the following is strongly recommended:
- No person may deal in fireworks (sell or make available) unless they hold a fireworks licence.
- It is illegal to buy fireworks from hawkers. Only buy from a reputable dealer.
- A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children under 16. You will incur a fine of R1 500 if you do.
- Follow all instructions before igniting – never experiment or make your own fireworks
- Ignite fireworks outdoors only
- Always have water nearby (bucket or garden hose)
- Use protective eyewear when shooting fireworks.
- Never throw fireworks or aim them at another person, animal or buildings.
- Light fireworks on a smooth flat surface away from buildings and flammable materials.
- Never carry fireworks in your pocket or ignite them into metal or glass containers.
- Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
- Never relight a ‘dud’ (faulty) firework. Wait 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Do not handle fireworks whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a firework.
- Dispose of fireworks by immersing them in water until they disintegrate.
Restricted areas: - Do not ignite fireworks within 500m of explosives (factory, storage) or petrol station or depot. You will be fined R1 500 if you’re found doing so.
- Do not light fireworks at a place where there are animals present. There is a fine of R2 500 if this happens.
- not set off fireworks in a public thoroughfare (main roads).
Safety for pets:
- Keep your pets indoors with the curtains drawn when using fireworks.
- Never throw lit fireworks at pets.
- Contact animal welfare organisations such as the SPCA, Animals in Distress and Claw for any animals that are distressed.
- If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
- Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
