The last blast

Dear Charlotte, I was at the home of a Turkish friend who had some fireworks to shoot off at midnight. I was uncomfortable with this idea since they were going to do it from the back garden and the parents were going to let children set off some of the fireworks. Homes were in close proximity. Since I was a foreign guest I did not express my concern to the host, but I was so relieved when the so-called “fireworks show” finished and no damage or harm had been done to anyone. Carey from Ohio.

Many of us are probably concerned about the irresponsible use of fireworks and guns. I was wondering when I should use this information in an article and it seems the events this past week make now an appropriate time. It is disturbing when explosions occur like the one only a few days ago. Fireworks and guns are extremely dangerous unless strict regulations are followed.

Safe Kids USA reports that each year, more than 4,000 children age 14 and under are treated in US emergency rooms for injuries involving fireworks. Most of these injuries occur in the few weeks before and after July 4. Children aged 5 to 9 have the highest rate of injury from fireworks.

Only a few of us have seen, I’d imagine, any safety education on the use of fireworks here. Countries in the West have Web sites and other forms of promoting safety such as Safe Kids USA, which informs people to not let kids play with fireworks, period.

A friend pointed out to me that a lot of people who handle fireworks are not always very educated and aware that fireworks are intended for use by adults in open spaces, with plenty of active supervision for every child present.

One of my brothers, Rick, was a boy scout and later an eagle scout. Rick learned ethics, outdoorsmanship and how to strengthen one’s self-esteem. He was taught the importance of details and following instructions. When our family had any kind of fireworks display in the backyard or camping holiday, you can guess who organized it.

A number of foreigners have expressed how surprised they were to see how relaxed the use of guns and fireworks are here. I think we need to quickly add that we are being naive if we think it does not happen back in our home countries. What about the headline?

“During the start of a premiership match, there was an opening firework display. But one went flying straight into the crowd hitting a woman in the face.” This occurred in England and the woman was taken to a hospital in Wolverhampton.

Another incident: “Woman, child killed by man celebrating New Year with handgun.” Where? It was a stray bullet in Denver, Colorado.

Bureaucracy, regulations and red tape slow down policymakers putting in place the necessary safety rules and inspections here. But another important measure is a community watch program. You may have observed that community watch here is different from what you may be used to. In England or America if an individual sees something unusual he or she may report it. People here usually do not get involved to that degree. Community watch in the sense of reporting someone committing a crime, etc., is not so common. There is also little faith in the system you report to.

What about being concerned for one’s community? Well it may be changing some too, but for the most part, close neighbors and relatives help each other in many practical ways. Examples include providing food or beds for each other’s guests.

Action arising from group affiliation rather than individualism is more common. People are afraid to get involved. If just one person had expressed concern about a building where the unlicensed fireworks factory which exploded last week was operating, 20 lives would probably have been saved and over 100 would not have been injured. Instead, sadly, at least eight victims were bystanders watching the fire from the first blast.

A group of people will stand by and watch the explosion, but to get involved is something else. Preventative measures are needed.