By CSP Charles Enekwe
A fire cracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise especially in the form of a loud bang, usually for celebration or entertainment.
How Fire Crackers Are Harmful
Due to the smoke of fire crackers, the suspended particles in the air increase and everyone exposed to that air is prone to suffer from ear, eye, nose and short-term exposures can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma and acute bronchitis, and increasing the susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Fire Crackers Can Hurt Us
Fire crackers can cause unexpected life-altering injuries, including devastating burns that damage skin and deeper tissues and even blast injuries causing damage to or loss of body parts, including fingers or limbs.
Are Fire Crackers Legal in Nigeria
Fire crackers have been banned and parents are advised to sensitize their children not to engage in the use of fire crackers and about the dangers of using fireworks. Adeyinka Adebiyi, public safety and well-being expert – 19th December, 2024.
Nigeria Usually Issue Fresh Fire Cracker Ban Ahead of Holidays
Official ban imposed on explosive toys in fear they might be mistaken for terror attacks or used for robberies. There is no gainsaying the fact that criminal elements may capitalize on the incessant use of fire crackers/fireworks to carry out all sorts of nefarious activities in the Nigerian public space, especially at night – shopping malls, super markets, filling stations, entertainment centres, viewing centres etc – Nigeria is dogged by twin menaces of terrorism and armed robberies – among other crimes, and authorities fear that criminals may cash in on the use of fireworks by children during yuletide to rob people or launch terrorist attacks.
The Menace of the Use of Fire Crackers in Christian Worship Centres/Nigerian Churches
It is astonishing and worrisome that firecrackers are being used in Nigerian Christian worship centres and churches to disturb the peace and tranquility of the church, especially during vigil masses on 24th December, 31st December and sometimes, Easter Eve. It is really crazy, nauseating, irritating, annoying and unacceptable.
Firecrackers are brazenly thrown into the church during vigil masses to the consternation, bewilderment and dismay of clergymen and the lay members of the church – the dare devilry of the perpetrators of these dastardly, atrocious and reprehensible practices, is preposterous and unbelievable – for me, it is some sort of desecration of the Church.
This wanton and irresponsible act can lead to the maiming of worshipers during vigil masses – it can also trigger commotion, stampede, pandemonium, if not checked. Nigerian Christian parents must caution their children to refrain from using fire crackers at worship centres/churches to disturb the peace and tranquility of the church during night vigil programmes/masses.
It is becoming institutionalized in Nigerian Christian societies/worship centres and will hurt every one of us in one way or the other – this nasty and repugnant deed is a monster and a beast that must be tamed and arrested by the church authorities in Nigeria. It is time to combat this rascality and offensive act. A stitch in time saves nine.
CSP Charles Enekwe writes from Annunciation Parish
Awka
29th January, 2025
