The Republic of Srpska

The Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior urges all citizens to peacefully and stately mark the upcoming holidays in safe surroundings. Considering the fact that New Year and Christmas holidays are the period when the usage of pyrotechnic devices and illicit usage of firearms is expected to be increased, the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior organizes a number of activities with the primary aim to raise public awareness about dangers and consequences of the usage of pyrotechnic devices and illicit usage of firearms. First of all, firecrackers are not toys, and because of playing with them, 12 persons were injured last winter and 5 of them were minors. The police officers of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior confiscated 28,948 firecrackers and 76 rockets/ fireworks during last New Year and Christmas holidays. Therefore, with the aim of educating children and youth, the police officers are going to organize lectures in elementary schools and high schools in the Republic of Srpska in order to inform them about dangers and consequences of using pyrotechnic devices. Also, their tendency is to include representatives of local communities, educational facilities, parent councils, non-governmental organizations and other subjects in this action in order to encourage the whole social community to repress this activity. The games with firecrackers are not harmless and handling pyrotechnics improperly can leave permanent consequences. In 70% of the cases, fingers are hurt by using pyrotechnics, whereas facial burns, injuries of eyes, mouth, and nose as well as hearing damage make the remaining 30%. The use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices at public places is punishable by law. Finally, in order to prevent unauthorized sale of pyrotechnic devices, the police officers of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior are going to intensify the control of shops authorized to sell pyrotechnics during December, that is, the owners of these shops are going to be warned that buying and selling of these products has to be in line with the current regulations.