Avoid the risk of firecracker blasts. Use toy horns (torotot) and other noisemakers to usher in the New Year.
A boy tries out a “torotot” that his parents bought from a street vendor in Osmena Boulevard, Cebu City. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
This reminder, issued before the yearend revelry, has officials of the Cebu City Health Department hoping that fewer accidents will occur in the final hours of 2015.
Dr. Daisy Villa, City Health Department head, said what is important in celebrating the New Year is for people to reflect on the past, repent for their wrongdoings and renew their lives.
“Since 2015 is ending, we call on the public to please don’t use firecrackers. Why don’t we use trumpets or bang on cooking pots or turn up the volume of our ‘sounds’ (stereos or radios) so that we can have fun in ushering in the New Year,” Villa said in Cebuano.
In the hands of drunk men and children, firecrackers can end up exploding by mistake.
Villa said she is hopeful because there is a decreasing number of firecracker victims over the years.
Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella reinforced her appeal.
He reminded residents to stay vigilant in guarding their houses from lawless elements amid the merrymaking of celebrating the New Year.
He also reminded parents to be watchful.
“Closely watch your children especially those who play with firecrackers so that no child will be injured or lose an arm in playing with them. Let us always be careful, take care of ourselves, take care of our families,” Labella said.