Residents are only allowed to light fireworks from 8pm to 6am on January 28 through February 2 during the Spring Festival, the Shanghai Fire Control Bureau announced yesterday.

The bureau also banned setting off fireworks on Nanjing Road, Huaihai Road and at Yuyuan Garden.

Officials said the practice to reward citizens who help police find illicit pyrotechnics will continue this year. About 2 million yuan (US$246,914) has been budgeted for whistle blowers.

The government set up a hot line (6232-2110) for people to provide tips. Those who offer valuable information will be given 20 yuan for every box of illegal fireworks seized.

Chen Fei, the bureau director, said at yesterday's press conference, they seized more than 38,000 boxes of contraband firecrackers worth about 7.6 million yuan so far this year.

Police fined individuals and businesses 540,000 yuan for illegal fireworks in the past 11 months. A total of 25 people were arrested and seven sale permits were revoked.

"We will strengthen control of every sector of the fireworks industry like transport, storage, sales and ignition, to assure Shanghai people a safe and happy Spring Festival," Chen said.

Property firms were ordered to remind residents to be safe during the Spring Festival. Apartment owners will be told to clean balconies and shut windows when going out during the lunar New Year holiday.

Sometimes a fire ignites when sparks from misdirected fireworks fly into an apartment through an open window or ignite flammable goods on the balcony.

Students will also be taught how to handle fireworks safely prior to the lunar New Year.

"Prior to the winter vacation, every primary and middle school should give pyrotechnics safety lessons to students or arrange for them to watch relevant VCD programs," said Shanghai Fire Control Bureau spokesman Zhou Meiliang.

(Shanghai Daily December 2, 2005)