‘Firecrackers should be banned’ – eye specialist
Fireworks should be banned in South Africa to avoid the many injuries and even deaths seen at casualty rooms over the festive season - Dr Kadeer Ismail, an opthalmologist at the Centre for Diabetes.
POLOKWANE – Fireworks should be banned in South Africa to avoid the many injuries and even deaths seen at casualty rooms over the festive season.
This is the view of Dr Kadeer Ismail, an opthalmologist at the Centre for Diabetes.
Ismail said they attend to countless patients injured by firecrackers during the festive season, with the majority of injuries being that to the eyes or hands (often lost fingers).
“We can avoid fire crackers injuries by simply banning them in our country. If our government is not keen to do this then we should take it upon ourselves in Limpopo to ban firecrackers,” emphasised Ismail.
In December, he witnessed the treament of a child who was hit in the eye by a firecracker. “The eye was fully closed but they managed to make see the light again.”
It is the increased in injuries to especially young children that is problematic, says Ismail.
“Those who give fire crackers to toddlers should be charged with attempted murder and or any case relating to body harm. Ismail recalled a firecracker incident where a lady lost the whole eyelid and has lost her sight. “Ten people out of 15 lose their eyes every year due to firecrackers,” said Ismail. None of the victims contacted wanted to speak to Review. The mother whose young child suffered an eye injury said the matter “was resolved at home”.
According to The Explosives Act No 26 of 1956 (Section 10.34) it is unlawful to discharge fireworks in a building, on any public thoroughfare or in any public place or resort without prior written permission of the local authorities. Section 10.35 relates to public displays of fireworks and states that no person may do so on any premises without the written permission of the Chief Inspector of Explosives. This written permission will stipulate conditions and any non-compliance with them is a criminal offence. In terms of the Explosives Act, no person shall allow or permit a child under the age of 16 to handle or use fireworks except under the supervision of an adult.
