Be responsible with fireworks
"He said the sight of dangling fingers on his right hand was a scary one," said Mashudu Mphambo.
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Though it has been two years now since Mashudu Mphambo (34) was blasted by fireworks, the pain in still fresh in his memory.
Mashudu wants to share his fireworks experience with the people of the South. “It has been two years now since the incident took place. I remember it was New Year’s Eve, I came back home from a nearby tavern. I had bought ‘black spider’ (a certain type of fireworks, you scratched them like matches). My neighbour had a party, I then told my wife that I need to light black spider.
“I put it onto the wall and lit it. For same reason I decided to take it down. All I heard was a loud bang, my ears were momentarily shut. My body felt like I was being electrocuted, my hand was covered with blood,” explained Mashudu.
That was when he realised he was injured. He said the sight of dangling fingers on his right hand was a scary one.
“I was taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital where I spent six days. I lost lots of blood. After three days in hospital they amputated my thumb and index fingers, they told me fireworks left poison. The pain was unbearable and I regret the day. It took me over two weeks to heal.
“Lots of people still don’t know how dangerous fireworks can be. At my house they are prohibited. I will live with these scars forever, my life has changed, because sometimes picking up a simple thing like paper is a challenge. I urge people to be very careful or not to go near fireworks,” noted Mashudu.
He also pleaded not to use fireworks on pets. “It is now the festive season, and lots of fireworks will be discharged and pets will be on the receiving end. Other precautionary measures that can be taken include trying to remain at home during these times,” he said.
And, be aware of the laws regulating fireworks. The discharge of fireworks on a person’s private property is governed by local by-laws. Ensure that you check your local municipal’s by-laws and find out whether there have been any amendments.
All cruelty to animals must be reported to your nearest animal welfare organisation, as soon as possible.
