Fireworks, negligence and accidents: lessons from past celebrations

Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:06 PM Last update: Thu Jan 13, 2022 2:11 PM

Photo: M Hasan Tarèque

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Photo: M Hasan Tarèque

Every year, the skies of old Dhaka light up with fireworks to mark the Shakrain Festival, and this year will be no different. We can enjoy watching the explosion of colors, but is it necessary? Have we thought about how it harms the environment, affects the lives of children, the elderly and the sick?
As responsible citizens, we must first adhere to our ethics and responsibilities, and consider the question – how fireworks and other firecrackers impact the peace and atmosphere of our neighborhood and of the world. ‘environment. While we don’t discourage celebrations, the question and concern remains: Have we learned from our past mistakes? And what precautions do we take to prevent victims from reoccurring?
Fireworks are a fun and noisy form of entertainment that young people find entertaining. However, for the elderly, it is simply an inconvenience and a health problem. We all know that noise pollution causes anxiety and stress, which in turn can worsen the condition of people with heart problems. According to doctors and chemists, children and the elderly should be strictly kept away from gases and pollutants emanating from various firecrackers. And recently, the reckless fireworks display has hurt a number of people in many ways as some have suffered losses in their businesses due to fires. We should reconsider the question, whether we are willing to pay hospital bills in exchange for toxic fireworks or not.

Photo: Taufiqur Rahman Anik

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Photo: Taufiqur Rahman Anik

Reasons to party but also not to make us forget the animals which are often our adorable companions. Whether it’s our pets, stray animals or the wildlife that surrounds our city life, sparks, flames, smoke and loud noises caused by fireworks and firecrackers can affect them. seriously harm.
We know that the hearing of many animals is much more sensitive than that of humans. Thus, the deafening explosions of fireworks are not only distressing for them, such explosions can seriously and even permanently damage their hearing.
And have we considered that such events can be very traumatic for them? Unexpected and unpredictable shrill noise can cause phobias and panic reactions in animals, and of course, we don’t want our beloved companions to disappear or run away. Fireworks are certainly a popular means of celebration and can add a cheerful mood to any event; thus, it will be a wiser option to conduct fireworks displays in a centralized manner (on land or open terrain), supervised by the authority, and not on tight rooftops. In addition, fireworks are polluting products, and they are also expensive. So why not go for cheaper and more sustainable alternatives?
For me the best way to honor any important event is to try to create the minimum amount of damage especially to nature, caring about people and volunteering, for example, at any shelter for homeless, or just serve soup to my family and go stargazing. Without a doubt, fireworks are not worth the damage they create.