Ryan Hormel C. Masinsin

The advantages and disadvantages of using Firecrackers every New Year

A firecracker (cracker, noise maker, banger, or bunger is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound. Firecrackers, along with fireworks, originated in China.

FIRECRACKERS

Fireworks - combustible or explosive preparations used for entertainment probably first devised in Ancient China to frighten off devils. Their initial European use was as weaponry and not until after about 1500 were they employed for entertainment.

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FIRECRACKER

Substance that decomposes suddenly, but controllably, forming gas and releasing heat in the process. The resultant shock wave has many applications, like mining, demolition, missile propulsion and warfare (bombs.) Most explosives contain nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in an unstable molecular configuration which, as the result of a spark, blow, or other small explosion, react extremely rapidly to produce carbon dioxide, steam and nitrogen with some carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Explosive

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Firecrackers, as well as other types of explosives, are subject to various laws in many countries, although firecrackers themselves are not usually considered illegal contraband material. It is usually the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of firecrackers that are subject to laws including safety requirements for manufacture, the requirement of a permit to sell or store, or restrictions on the use of firecrackers.

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Legality of Fireworks

Firecrackers, as well as other types of explosives, are subject to various laws in many countries, although firecrackers themselves are not usually considered illegal contraband material. It is usually the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of firecrackers that are subject to laws including safety requirements for manufacture, the requirement of a permit to sell or store, or restrictions on the use of firecrackers

Legality of Firecrackers:

The use of firecrackers, although a traditional part of celebration, has over the years led to many injuries and deaths. There have

been incidents every year of users being blinded, losing body parts, or suffering other injuries, especially during festivities that

customarily involve firecrackers such as Chinese New Year season.

Firecracker Ban:

Firecracker Ban (cont.)

Many governments and authorities have enacted laws completely banning the sale or use of firecrackers, or banning the use of firecrackers in the street, primarily because of safety or environmental reasons. These rules also require a permit from the local government, as well as any relevant local bodies such as maritime or aviation authorities (as relevant to the types of fireworks being used) and hospitals, schools, etc. within a certain range.

List of countries that prohibit the use of

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Disadvantages of using the firecrackers:

Fireworks are explosive devices that contain combustible chemicals such as gunpowder and when eventually heated, these can create spectacular effects through the explosions.

But lurking behind these pretty patterns, are some big and dangerous side effects. Particulates released during firework displays can enter the soil, water and air and can be disruptive to the environment (causing problems such as acid rain and global dimming). Including this, fireworks have been the reason for many serious accidents such as horrific burns and sometimes even deaths in the past

“Fireworks are nice to look at, but noisy and distracting”

In 2010, emergency rooms across the United States treated approximately 8,600 people for injuries related to fireworks. Of these injuries, more than half were burns. More than 70 percent of the 8,600 people injured suffered their accidents between June 18 and July 18. The body parts most often injured in these accidents were hands and fingers (30 percent), legs (22 percent) and eyes (21 percent). Two of every five people injured by fireworks in 2010 were under the age of 15. The U.S. Fire Administration attributed proximity, curiosity and experimentation as the reasons most of the accidents occurred.

Injuries

Simple hand-held sparkler fireworks burn at temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees F. During summer months, these spark-producing fireworks pose a great threat to dry and flammable areas. In 2008, $42 million of direct property damage was caused by 22,500 firework-induced fires in the United States. Fireworks burning at high temperatures can also ignite clothing or cause severe skin burns. In 2008, seven people died from firework-related injuries.

Property Damage

Advantages of using the firecrackers

Fireworks are a staple of celebrations around the world. They enhance festivities and create lasting memories. In America, they are heavily used to celebrate New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) and Independence Day (July 4). In China, they are used during the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). Australia and Canada use fireworks as well, lighting them off to celebrate their national days on Jan. 26 and July 1, respectively.

Holiday Use

However, fireworks are necessary for both patriotic and religious celebrations. Diwali, the festival of ‘lights’, is renowned for its story of Rama and Sita when they returned to their homeland to be greeted by people celebrating with light. So what better way is there to celebrate Diwali than with fireworks, which use light to create many spectacular effects?

Including this, most people celebrate Bonfire night for the pure purpose of using fireworks due to it relation to the notable gunpowder plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes tried to kill King James the first using the substance. Fireworks ,being made of gunpowder and providing stunning entertainment to its viewers, is probably the best way to commemorate the day.

2017 Firecracker Related Injuries in

the Philippines

This 2017, the new government aimed to zero-casualty for the welcoming of the New Year, but unfortunately, they didn’t aimed the goal, but they lessen at least the number of injuries.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Department of Health said firecracker-related injuries declined in 2016 compared to the year before.

Based on the final tally of the Department of Health (DOH), 630 fireworks-related injuries were recorded from December 21st to January 5th - 32 percent less from last year, and 34 percent less than the five-year average recorded from 2011 to 2015.

Of 630, three involved firecracker ingestion.Majority of the cases were from Metro Manila

with 340 — more than half of the total.Piccolo is still the leading cause of injury,

followed by kwitis, lucis, and five-star.But what's alarming was, majority of the

victims were children 15 years old and below — they accounted for 351 or 56 percent of the total number of cases.

Zero casualties still the goal In a statement, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial was thankful for the support

given to the Health Department's "Iwas Paputok" program by local government units and other agencies.

"We would like to extend our gratitude for the support of other national agencies, the local governments, non-government organizations, and the media for the anti-firecracker campaigns. We do hope that eventually we will attain zero casualties from fireworks during the holidays. The cooperation of local government units that organized public firework displays contributed to the success of this campaign."

She added, "(W)e appeal to the public that if you have fireworks materials remaining at home, dispose them immediately by soaking them in water. Do not let our children be tempted to play with firecrackers and risk their safety."

The DOH said the "Iwas Paputok" Campaign will not end this year, and it will continue to push for the approval of the ban of individual firecracker use to achieve its goal of zero casualties.

CNN Philippines correspondent Ivy Saunar contributed to this report.

In the end, it turns out that there are more disadvantages to using fireworks than advantages. However, the problems caused by fireworks can be drastically reduced if people chose not to handle them at home but rather went to professional firework displays where they would receive the same amount of joy and entertainment (maybe even more) anyway. Including this, this could decrease the overall amount of fireworks used and can be linked to reducing the risk of global problems as well as reducing the amount of workload for doctors as less people will end up injured by the explosive devices.

Closing Note