By S. Param
Photo: Pixabay
The festival of lights, Deepavali, is around the corner and as usual it will be celebrated in many places with fireworks and noisy firecrackers.
Ever since the authorities relaxed the strict enforcement on the sale of various types of firecrackers, the sales of firecrackers have picked up.
We can now witness the letting off of firecrackers practically for all kinds of social or religious occasions, including political events.
The easy availability of these loud noise fireworks/crackers raises concern with regards to public health, safety and security.
The loud noise associated with some of these firecrackers is not only affecting humans, especially the elderly and toddlers but also the pets and other animals living in our environment.
Loud firecracker noise tends to cause extreme stress to pets, and wild animals including, bats and birds in the environment. There are several documented records of pets and animals dying of heart attacks and afflicted with serious loud-noise associated distress symptoms.
Pet owners should take the necessary precautions outlined by the London RSPCA (UK) to ensure their pets are safe and protected from the loud firecracker booms during festivals etc
In the meanwhile the relevant enforcement authorities should ensure measures are taken to prevent the smuggling of dangerous and canon boom noise crackers into the country.
Enforcement on the sales of banned (dangerous) loud noise crackers should be heightened during festivals to safeguard public and animal health.
