While fireworks are used mainly for celebration, one must remember that the use of fireworks is regulated by the law.
The use of fireworks in South Africa is regulated by by-laws under the Explosives Act of 1956.
If you are considering using fireworks any time soon, be sure to familiarise yourself with the following regulations.
No person under the age of 16 must use explosives without adult supervision.
Fireworks must not be used in the following places:
– Inside any building
– On agricultural holdings
– In public places, schools, old age homes or hospitals
– Where animals are present
– Within 500m of explosives (factory/storage warehouses)
– Petrol depots or petrol stations
Users must take care to use fireworks in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.
Fireworks can only be used during the following designated times:
– Guy Fawkes (5 November) from 7pm to 10pm
– Christmas Eve (24 December) from 7pm to 10pm
– Day of Goodwill (26 December) from 7pm to 10pm
– New Year’s Eve (31 December) from 11pm to 1am
– New Year’s Day (1 January) from 7pm to 10pm
– Human Rights Day (21 March) from 7pm to 10pm
– Freedom Day (27 April) from 7pm to 10pm
– Lag B’Omer from 7pm to 10pm
– Chinese New Year from 7pm to 10pm
– Hindu New Year from 7pm to 11pm
– Diwali from 7pm to 11pm
Failure to adhere to these regulations could result in a fine.
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