Montes Claros Bans Loud Fireworks to Protect Vulnerable Groups
Montes Claros, Brazil, has enacted Decree nº 5.335/26, enforcing Law nº 5.948/26, which prohibits the use of fireworks with loud bangs (fogos de estampido). This regulation establishes guidelines for enforcement, accountability, and penalties for non-compliance. Handling, using, burning, or releasing noisy pyrotechnic devices is now considered an administrative infraction. Individuals or entities that promote, organize, sponsor, or authorize events featuring these fireworks, or permit their use on their property, are also subject to penalties. The initial fine for violating this ordinance is set at five UREFs (Municipal Fiscal Reference Units), currently equivalent to R$ 311.90, with fines doubling for repeat offenses. Enforcement will be carried out by the Municipal Secretariat of Environment, Animal Welfare, and Sustainability in collaboration with other agencies, including the Municipal Guard. In addition to fines, fireworks used in violation of the law may be seized. The law specifically permits the use of "fogos de vista" (visual fireworks) that produce visual effects without loud noise, as well as similar devices with low-intensity sound. The measure has been widely welcomed by the public, particularly animal lovers and advocates for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (TEA). Psychopedagogue Ângela Fernanda Santiago highlighted that for individuals with TEA, auditory hypersensitivity can make tolerable sounds intensely painful or stressful, making environments with reduced sensory stimuli crucial for preventing crises. Animal protection advocate Cláudia Bacchi expressed relief, stating the law will end years of suffering for animals, preventing panic, escapes, and deaths during celebrations, and also offers protection to the bedridden and elderly.
This municipal ordinance in Montes Claros reflects a growing global trend to regulate pyrotechnics, driven by increased awareness of their impact on public health and well-being. The legislation addresses sensory sensitivities, particularly for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (TEA) and animals, by mitigating the stress caused by loud noises. From a public policy perspective, the law attempts to balance traditional celebratory practices with the need to protect vulnerable populations. Future considerations might involve exploring alternative, less disruptive forms of public celebration and examining the economic implications for the pyrotechnics industry. The enforcement mechanism, relying on fines and seizures, will be key to the ordinance's effectiveness, requiring consistent application to achieve its intended public safety and welfare outcomes.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.
