AS 2015 draws inexorably to a close, and as Guyanese, in traditional style, see the year out — literally with a bang — let’s hope that this year’s end will not see what seems to be the norm: the excessive setting off of squibs, firecrackers and the like throughout this dear land.In fact, in Guyana, the period beginning with Diwali and ending with twelfth night celebrations is usually marked by the sounds and sights of fire crackers and squibs. And this is not the controlled fireworks display at the National Park; this is the incessant, irresponsible use of squibs, which drives all forms of animal life crazy.

The effects of squibs and firecrackers on animal life are adverse and traumatic. These include physical injury to both animals and humans; people (usually children) losing fingers and eyesight; the onset of deafness; and severe burning. And those are just some of the injuries which humans can suffer from the effects of using squibs and firecrackers.

Research has shown that children are 11 times more likely to be injured as a result of squibs and firecrackers exploding. Dogs have been known to get disoriented, break free, jump fences, run out of their safe surroundings, and often get crippled and even killed on the roadways when faced with the continuous explosion of firecrackers and squibs. Many times, dogs also forget their way home. Invariably, too, they eat remnants of firecrackers and suffer from digestion problems.

A dog’s ears are more sensitive than human ears, and the piercing sound of firecrackers or squibs exploding can permanently affect the dog’s acute sense of hearing; whilst the bright flashes and acrid fumes can inflict further damage on the animal’s eyesight and sense of smell.

And it is not only dogs that are affected. Birds have been known to fly away in fright, and sometimes cannot again find their own nests; fish ingest debris and die; and butterflies can get disoriented, injured and killed through the effects of firecrackers and squibs exploding.

Anyone who has lost a beloved pet as a result of fireworks can understand the dread with which pet owners approach the months of November and December. Stray dogs, too, are affected; and a sad but common sight is that of packs of dogs running away from these mini-explosions late at nights.

Every year, the GSPCA and veterinarians issue warnings about the effects of exploding fireworks on animals, and pet owners also have the responsibility to protect their animals from the harm which comes their way as a result of indiscriminate explosion of firecrackers

But there is more to it than the dangers associated with firecrackers. There is in existence a supply chain which starts from the importer of firecrackers and extends to the distributor, the vendor, and ultimately the purchaser of squibs. At issue is the wanton availability of these dangerous and annoying devices, and the ease with which they can readily be obtained. For far too long, squibs have been available for sale in plain sight, and it is almost common to see pushcarts and street vendors openly and vigorously selling these firecrackers. Squibs cannot be hidden from the police. Firecrackers can also be crafted by hand, and our young people need to be educated about the dangers of firecrackers and squibs.

So, all authorities -– police, educators, elders — definitely need to make a decisive effort to eradicate this particular scourge. We, as a society, must recognize that all of us are involved in this battle, and all of us are affected.
Oh for a peaceful, squib-free end of year!!!