Dynamite. Firework. Grenade.

"Sampung mga daliri, kamay at paa. Sumabog na, sumabog na. Siyam nalang pala."

-There's a big possibility that you'll be singing to this tune if you continue on using firecrackers. Hundreds of firecracker-related incidents have already been reported even before the New Year's eve. If you haven't heard of the negative effects of firecrackers, I'll enumerate it for you:

DOH's campaign, year 2008

Firecrackers cause injuries. 
I never watch the local news during New Year's eve because I don't want to see bloody faces and nearly-amputated hands. There are also victims of stray bullets and watusi ingestion. Firecrackers are extremely dangerous. Try typing "firecrackers injury" on images.google.com and see for yourself.

Firecrackers are dangerous to human and animal health.
Dangers exist because firecrackers contain toxic materials. The smoke coming from firecrackers are very dangerous to those who have respiratory ailments, such as pneumonia and asthma. Even healthy people could suffer those adverse effects when exposed to hazardous smoke brought by firecrackers.
It can also cause hearing damage not only to humans but also to animals. “To us humans the noise of firecrackers can be an inconvenience, but to animals – such as dogs and cats – with highly sensitive hearing, that same noise can be the equivalent of a cannon going off near them,” said Aileen Lucero of the EcoWaste Coalition. “Magnify that by the amount of firecrackers all going off at once on New Year’s Eve, and imagine the mega-torture that the day brings to them.”

EcoWaste Coalition's campaign against firecrackers

Firecrackers cause hazards to the environment.
Excess of toxic materials such as manganese, cadmium and lead can cause depletion to our ozone layer. Firecrackers also cause air pollution and emits greenhouse gases that is very harmful to our environment.

Celebrating the new year would be happier if we are safe and healthy. Is our health and our environment worth the risk of using firecrackers?

Instead of using firecrackers, there are safe but still noisy ways to celebrate the start of another year such as playing loud music and using torotot (trumpets). But if you really can't help it, just be responsible. Don't buy illegal firecrackers. I know they're cheap, but you'll end up losing your fingers.

As for me, I'll celebrate the new year by listening to Dynamite by Taio Cruz, Firework by Katy Perry and Grenade by Bruno Mars. :)

HAVE A SAFE AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!