The Republic of Srpska

The Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior is implementing the campaign ”Firecrackers are not toys”, aiming to enable safe and peaceful celebration of the upcoming holidays, without the use of firearm and pyrotechnics.Considering the fact that New Year and Christmas holidays are the period when the use of pyrotechnic devices and illegal use 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 use of pyrotechnic devices and illegal use of firearms.With the aim of educating children and youth, the police officers are organizing lectures in elementary 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 campaign in order to encourage the whole social community to repress this activity. Playing with firecrackers are not harmless and improper handling of pyrotechnics may leave permanent consequences. The riskiest, and at the same time, the most endangered, group are children and minors. Only this year, after a pyrotechnic device detonation in Rudo, a seventeen-year old was surgically removed his right hand finger. Also, two days ago in Banja Luka, an eleven-year old boy suffered severe head injuries.Therefore, we would especially appeal to parents to warn their children about the possible consequences of using pyrotechnics and that taking care of them is their responsibility. In failure to do so, the Law prescribes penalties.The use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in 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, 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 valid regulations.During the last year holidays’ campaign, the RS MoI police officers seized 17,932 pieces of pyrotechnics.   Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE