Welcoming the New Year in the City with a Firecracker Ban
Our city is known to be the first to ban firecrackers — not just a selected few, but all kinds of them — during New Year celebrations. Why is that? It’s because our government thought that this is how they can best protect the people from accidents brought about by faulty firecrackers or just irresponsible or careless users.
We’ve seen how many firecracker enthusiasts and even innocent bystanders have been sent to emergency rooms in hospitals because they got hit by a stray Whistle Bomb, or failed to quickly throw the Lolo Thunder before it exploded on their hands (that may have caused them to lose a finger or two), or was standing at the wrong place at the wrong time with a seemingly dead Super Lolo suddenly exploding just when they were passing by an already quiet street.
With the dramatic decline (almost close to zero) of firecracker-related accidents in the city, it seems that the decision of the local government was right. It was able to protect the people from the dangers of firecrackers.
However, waiting for and greeting the new year seems to be really quiet — too quiet — in this part of the country. Sure, we have torotots and loud music speakers to make some noise. Still, the absence of fireworks is very much felt. Some of our neighbors did not even bother to go outside of their houses as the clock hit 12 last night. I remember several years ago, when most of our neighbors were outside throwing Five-Stars on a flaming tire or watching Firecracker Fountains. Even kids got their share of fun with their Watusi.
I must admit that the firecracker ban has its advantages, but I say it also has it down sides. I guess my point is that I really, really hope that someday, our local leaders consider to put up a government-initiated fireworks display for the kids and kids at heart in the city. The firecracker ban should remain in place for everyone’s protection, but would it not be nice to have a really amazing fireworks display for everyone to enjoy as we welcome the new year?
