LETTER | Chinese New Year is around the corner, it’s hard to imagine the festival without fireworks. 

Setting off fireworks is fun and exciting and it has long been associated with the traditions and cultures of various communities in the country 

In welcoming the various vibrant colourful festivals in the country, it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the obvious risks and dangers associated with fireworks.

Fireworks may seem harmless but the devastation they cause to humans and animals is alarming - if it goes unsupervised by the authorities.

Fireworks are known to burn greater than 540 degrees Celsius and it is extremely important to keep a safe distance (especially children and pets) from fireworks to avoid serious burns and injuries.

Apparently, emergency rooms in the US handle more than 10,000 fireworks-related injuries annually, ranging from simple burns to loss of fingers and hands.

However, for some reason or other in Malaysia, the statistics of fireworks-related injuries and their associated health and property damage are hardly made public by the relevant authorities. I wonder why?

The reluctance of the relevant authorities to highlight fireworks-related injuries and associated fire statistics has somewhat created a “tidak apa” attitude among the members of the public on the dangers of fireworks.

It’s sad to note the rising incidents of fireworks injuries and property damage occurring during major festivals in the country. 

The authorities need to wake up to the reality that highly dangerous and poor-quality fireworks have been smuggled into the country and it’s now readily available.

In view of the obvious dangers of firecrackers to public health and animal welfare, it is paramount for the authorities to undertake a study on all fireworks-related incidents in the country.

The Deepavali festival celebration two months ago was marred by several unwanted incidents in the country, in which human injuries and property damages were reported due to fireworks.

Apparently, the easy availability of fireworks in residential and open markets made things worse. The storage of large quantities of fireworks by individuals in residential areas poses a serious safety and security threat.

We were lucky this time around but if the authorities continue to ignore the dangers of the easy availability of fireworks and its unsafe use - disaster awaits.

The authorities should take note of the historical fire disaster in Los Angeles recently.

A preliminary investigation of the Los Angeles fire has been linked to the fireworks display during the 2025 New Year’s Eve celebration in the city. At the time of writing this letter, it’s still smouldering in LA.

In view of the dangers posed by the easy availability of fireworks, there is an urgent need for the government to review the enforcement, sales, and safety including security protocols of fireworks display in residential and public areas.

Wishing all a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.