The Republic of Srpska

      The Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior is implementing an action whose goal is prevention of unauthorized sale and use of pyrotechnics as well as illegal use of firearms – all with the aim of creating safe environment for celebrating Christmas and New Year holidays.      In order to prevent the unauthorized sale of pyrotechnics, the police officers of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with the competent municipality inspection services, is going to increase the control of shops that are legally authorized to sell pyrotechnics, and the owners of those shops are going to be warned that buying and selling these products has to be in accordance with regulations that are in force.       As a part of this action that was implemented during the last year’s New Year and Christmas holidays, the police officers of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior seized the total number of 40,415 pcs. of pyrotechnics (39,514 firecrackers, 681 rockets/fireworks, 200 sparklers, and 20 of other items), whereas in accordance with the Law on minor offences, 11 minor offence warrants and requests for initiating minor offence procedures were issued.       A part of the activities is going to be focused on educating young population on the dangers of using pyrotechnics, and therefore, with the aim of educating children and young people, lectures are going to be organized in primary and secondary schools in the Republic of Srpska. The intention is to also include the representatives of local communities, education institutions, student and parent councils and NGOs in this action.       Games with firecrackers are not harmless and incompetent management of pyrotechnics may leave permanent consequences. Children and minors belong to a group of population that is exposed to the highest risk of being hurt by pyrotechnics. Last winter, on the territory of the Republic of Srpska, two minors were injured while ‘playing’ with firecrackers, and in both cases, they suffered minor bodily injuries. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE