Cancún monitors fireworks vendors for safety compliance

Cancún, Mexico — Following an appeal from the Quintana Roo Environmental Protection Prosecutor’s Office (PPA) to avoid fireworks use during Christmas and New Year celebrations due to serious environmental, human health, and animal welfare concerns, Cancún’s Municipal Civil Protection will monitor that those who obtain permits issued by the National Defense Secretariat (Defensa) comply with safety conditions to prevent incidents.

Antonio Riveroll Ribbon, director of Civil Protection in Benito Juárez, explained that according to the Firearms and Explosives Law, the Cancún government cannot issue permits, only monitor compliance.

“This is a matter covered by the Firearms and Explosives Law under the oversight of the National Defense Secretariat. We only verify safety standards; we do not issue any permits,” he explained.

The municipal official emphasized that the municipal government must only comply with what is established between the state Environmental Protection Prosecutor’s Office and Defense to ensure safety requirements are met.

“They must have fire extinguishers, first aid kits, know first aid procedures, not be located near gas stations or easily flammable places, and in this regard, there is an appeal from the PPA where such situations are not permitted,” he stated.

The interviewee was emphatic in saying that neither Civil Protection nor the Benito Juárez City Council issues fireworks permits; they only handle surveillance to prevent incidents.

Meanwhile, the State Congress has also appealed to the 11 municipalities to promote public campaigns against fireworks use during December holidays, protecting the health of children, people with autism, older adults, and companion animals.

It should be noted that in Quintana Roo, the sale of explosive fireworks such as firecrackers, cannons, popcorn-type devices, or whistlers is prohibited because they can cause severe burns, loss of limbs, physical and hearing injuries, as well as eye and respiratory tract irritation.