CommentaryOPINION

Opinion Letter: Fireworks

By S. Param

The Chinese New Year festival is around the corner, it’s hard to imagine the festival without fireworks.

Letting off fireworks is fun and exciting and it has long been associated with traditions and cultures of various communities in the country

In welcoming the various vibrant colorful festivals in the country, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the obvious risks and dangers associated with fireworks during major festivals in the country.

Fireworks may seem harmless but the devastation they can cause to humans and animals is alarming if it goes unsupervised by the authorities.

Fireworks are known to burn greater than 1000 F, as such, it is extremely important to keep a safe distance (especially children and pets) from fireworks to avoid serious burns and injuries.

Apparently the US emergency rooms handle more than 10,000 fireworks injuries ranging from simple burns to loss of fingers and hands annually.

However for some reason or another in Malaysia, statistics of fireworks injuries and its associated health and property damage is hardly made public by the relevant authorities. I wonder why?

The reluctance of the relevant authorities to highlight the incidents of fireworks injuries and associated fire statistics in the country has somewhat created a sense of “tidak apa “attitude among the members of the public with regards to fireworks dangers.

It’s sad to note the rising incidents of fireworks injuries and property damages  occurring during the major festivals in the country.

The authorities need to wake up to the reality that highly dangerous poor quality fireworks have been smuggled into the country and are now readily available.

In view of the obvious dangers of firecrackers to public health, (including animal welfare) safety and security, it is paramount for the authorities to undertake a study on all fireworks related incidents in the country .

The Deepavali festival celebration two months ago was marred by several unwanted incidents in the country in which human injuries and property damages were reported due to  fireworks.

Apparently the easy availability of fireworks practically all over in residential and in open markets etc made things worse.The storage of large quantities of fireworks by individuals in residential areas pose a serious safety and security threat.

We were lucky this time around but if the authorities continue to ignore the dangers of the easy availability of fireworks and its unsafe use -disaster awaits.

The authorities should take note of  the historical fire disaster of Los Angeles recently.Preliminary investigation of the LA fire has been linked to the fireworks display during the 2025 New Year Eve  celebration in Los Angeles. At the time of writing this letter it’s still smouldering in LA.

In view of the dangers posed by the easy availability of these fireworks there is an urgent need hy the government to review the enforcement ,sales and safety including security protocols of fireworks display in residential and public areas.

Wishing all a Happy And Prosperous Chinese New Year

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