Firework vendors have taken to social media outlets, such as Twitter, to promote their products despite warnings issued by the Civil Defense and the Ministry of Commerce.

These vendors also sell on sidewalks alongside commercial complexes and markets, a familiar scene just before Eid every year, despite extensive security campaigns.

The Civil Defense has confirmed that its role is confined to issuing preventive advice, saying it does not have the authority to confiscate fireworks.

The statement, made by Col. Abdullah Al-Harithi, Civil Defense spokesman, comes in the wake of a recent Ministry of Commerce and Industry announcement promising a financial reward of SR5,000 for anyone who reports fireworks warehouses.

The ministry confirmed that it would monitor and limit activity and educate the community about the hazards of fireworks, especially among children, who are at risk for developing permanent disability.

Most of these street sellers are, in fact, women and children.

Civil Defense said parents’ ignorance about the dangers of these games has led to their spread among children.

“The confiscation of fireworks is the responsibility of the police,” Al-Harithi said. “Civil Defense teams have dealt with many firework-related incidents, which has increased the rate of fire, injury and death.”

The awareness campaign was launched under the slogan “your children are carrying arms.”

The ministry issued the statement on its official Twitter page urging residents to report firework warehouses to protect the nation’s children.

The ministry called on citizens and residents to report street vendors who sell fireworks on emergency number 940.