Significant drop in firecracker incidents

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Only one incident due to festive fire crackers was reported from the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) during the Christmas season showing a significant decrease of such cases during the festive season.

CNH Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said the victim had attempted to light the cracker holding it in the hand. Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said over the years the number of victims during the Christmas season have rapidly come down.

He recalled that seven years ago, 100 cases were reported during festive season with severe injuries due to festive crackers. A large number of children and adults lost their fingers in such cracker explosions.

Although, there has been a decline in the number of fire-cracker victims over the last three years. The danger still exists.

Dr. Weerasinghe attributed the decline mainly to the awareness campaign launched by the Health authorities during festive periods.

" Adults should look after their children and as well as themselves, added Dr. Weerasinghe saying that " many adults get injured due to ignorance in the use of fire-crackers specially when they attempt to keep the burning cracker in their hands.

He also warned people not to throw fire-crackers at friends for fun and also not to send sky-rockets horizontally". In the past, a lot of victims have been admitted to the hospital due to such unwanted activities". he added. Dr. Weerasinghe also requests people not to use banned fire-crackers (Battas) such as triangular shaped ones." Sky rockets are meant to be sent vertically but some people send them horizontally causing accidents."

Dr. Weerasinghe said the safer method to light fire-crackers is to place it on the ground.