Have a safe New Year!

The DOH has recorded a total of 42 firecracker injuries from 6 a.m. of December 21 to 6 a.m. of December 27. And as in previous years, the piccolo firecracker was the culprit. Although the number of injured from firecrackers this year is lower compared to previous years, this means nothing if your child is one of those who have lost fingers, or worse, were blinded. If the government is really clamping down on the sale of piccolo firecrackers, why are they still in the market? Why are they ending up in the hands of children? Retailers who are caught selling the banned firecracker must be shut down immediately, and charges filed against them. As the New Year closes in, the number of firecracker-related incidents will surely go up.

Two policemen are facing dismissal after indiscriminately firing their guns while intoxicated. The PNP is adopting a “no mercy” policy against policemen caught discharging their firearms for no reason. I honestly think that the greatest danger everyone faces during these times are drunk policemen. Hopefully the dismissal of the two policemen will serve as a warning to all other policemen who might have a tendency to fire their guns indiscriminately, drunk or not, especially when the New Year is approaching. Four civilians were also caught firing guns. We do not want to have more cases of deaths or injury due to stray bullets, most of which remain unsolved. There is no justification whatsoever for celebratory gunfire.

Fires are also a cause for concern during New Year’s celebrations. There are still those who burn tires in the streets, something that has been forbidden for the longest time. Having unattended candles and irresponsible lighting of fireworks near highly flammable materials is also dangerous. There are already designated places where fireworks should only be lit. Local officials must clearly indicate where these places are.

Parents would also do well to supervise their children, if not outright forbid them to handle any type of pyrotechnic item, no matter how safe they are claimed to be. I remember roman candles and fountains from my childhood suddenly exploding after a few seconds of supposedly harmless colorful lights. Even sparklers, however benign they seem, can also pose serious injury if not handled properly.

There are plenty of shopping malls, hotels, and even local governments that have their own fireworks display to greet the New Year. Aside from being safe from harm, you don’t spend anything to enjoy the same fireworks as everyone else. Be safe this new year. It is not fun to celebrate a new year with blown off fingers, or with bandages around your eyes, especially if these are your children’s. We trust that the authorities will do everything to keep all of us safe from those that can cause harm, as we usher in a New Year with renewed hope and blessings.

‘Parents would also do well to supervise their children, if not outright forbid them to handle any type of pyrotechnic item, no matter how safe they

are claimed to be.’