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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 24) appealed to people to keep venues clean and tidy and not to burn wax when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.
A spokesman for the LCSD said that patrols would be stepped up at LCSD venues including parks, public beaches and barbecue sites from October 2 to 4. On those three nights, about 1,000 staff would be deployed to take enforcement action against people who littered or burnt wax.
He said littering offenders would be issued $1,500 fixed-penalty tickets while those who burnt wax would be prosecuted.
"Wax-burning is strictly prohibited. People should not place lit candles on the ground and grass pitches of LCSD venues or on beaches. Metal cans or non-flammable containers should be used to collect melted wax for easy disposal into litter bins after the containers cool down," the spokesman said.
"They should wrap and properly dispose of their rubbish in the litter bins."
Visitors to LCSD venues should not melt or burn wax, or sprinkle or pour liquids onto hot wax, which might damage their property or cause injury to themselves or other people.
An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days' imprisonment.
The spokesman said people could report wax burning cases at LCSD venues by calling the hotline 2414 5555, which would operate from 7pm to midnight between October 2 and 4. LCSD staff would then be deployed to the scene to take appropriate action, the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, September 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:01
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