The municipal group of Lanzarote En Pie (LEP), formed by the councilors Leticia Padilla and Leandro Delgado, will request the plenary session of the Arrecife City Council to regulate the use of pyrotechnic material in public spaces and events of any kind.
The approach of LEP is based on the fact, known to all, that "the use of pyrotechnic material in the town's festivities is a common practice in popular celebrations that take place year after year in the different neighborhoods of the capital, as well as in major municipal events." A practice "very widespread during the Christmas season, in which its use is almost indiscriminate, which is often joined by the use of fireworks and pyrotechnics in events that are not municipal or related to special dates."
In this sense, the spokesperson for LEP and candidate of this formation for the Mayor's Office of the Arrecife City Council, Leticia Padilla, explained that "to all this, is added the little or no regulation that exists in the municipality on the sale and trade of this material." We believe that "it is essential that the municipal council pay attention to this situation, that it seeks the administrative formula that guarantees the sale of these products in a safe and responsible manner, as well as limiting its sale to authorized establishments."
The truth is that "this practice generates an evident excess of noise, has a detrimental effect on people with autism, babies, people with sensory hypersensitivity or animals, both pets and wild." In the case of the latter, Padilla pointed out, "sometimes it has serious consequences that can lead to death by cardiac arrest; while in people with autism or sensory hypersensitivity, and therefore, with very little tolerance to noise." "Exceeding the levels bearable for them can cause episodes of crisis and anxiety attacks that can sometimes lead them to self-harm."
Therefore, from the municipal formation, they consider that "it is important to take into account the different realities that are experienced during the festive use of pyrotechnic material, since what for many is a party, for other people and living beings becomes fear, anxiety or nervous breakdowns."
In that line, the LEP candidate for the Arrecife City Council indicated, "with the aim of protecting and avoiding unnecessary suffering to these vulnerable and defenseless people and animals, whom we must protect," in addition to the aforementioned demand, "we will request that low-noise pyrotechnic material be used in all those events organized directly by the Arrecife City Council and in which it participates indirectly by collaborating, promoting or sponsoring acts that involve the use of pyrotechnic material."
These measures will be complemented by other two demands. On the one hand, "the regulation, within the framework of municipal powers, of the sale of pyrotechnic material and the restriction of its trade only to authorized establishments." On the other hand, during the dates on which the discretionary use of this type of material is more common, "the development of awareness campaigns on the negative effects it produces on people with autism or sensory hypersensitivity and on animals, as well as encouraging the safe and responsible use of it," he adds.
