The end of a year is approaching again and with it, the repetitive actions of the human being before the promise of a new life during the twelve months to come. One of those repetitive actions is the burning of fireworks , a symbol of celebration, hubbub, farewell to the old year and welcome to the new one. The fireworks They have existed for centuries and their preparation must meet multiple safety standards, in the same way their use. Unfortunately, the avalanches of advertising and commercials added to the growing decline of common sense in the masses who see everything indiscriminate fun, have turned fireworks a permanent source of horrible accidents that often end with the mutilation and death of children; and Dantesque explosions that affect innocent pets, which suffer from fear and anguish because they do not know what is happening around them. Let's know the history of fireworks and some important recommendations for its inevitable use in these last days of 2013.
As is customary during the Christmas season and the New Year celebrations, thousands of children, young people and adults ignite happiness with fireworks that take over the skies forming colored figures that deafen with shrieks and explosions everywhere.
But the fireworks they have a story. Rockets and firecrackers have their origins in the oldest traditions of pyrotechnics, which was born with the invention of gunpowder invented by the Chinese to make weapons in the 9th century of our era.
To be exact, the invention of fireworks it is credited to a Chinese monk named Li Tian, who lived near the city of Liu Yang a thousand years ago. Every April 8, the Chinese offer sacrifices to Li Tian in commemoration of the invention of fireworks .
In addition, since that time the Chinese celebrate with fireworks the most important events such as births, anniversaries and birthdays, one of the events in which fireworks are shown in its splendor is in the Chinese New Year.
The explosions produced by the fireworks they are generated from the mixture of certain chemical elements, and that is how they were discovered by accident, according to a legend, a Chinese cook who used various chemical products when mixed by chance produced an explosion of color and magic in his kitchen.
From ancient times to fireworks It has been attributed the power to drive away evil spirits and ghosts, with the explosions that occur when firecrackers and rockets explode. The ancient Greeks and Romans used fireworks to launch them against their enemies in battles and in India they were widely used in religious ceremonies.
In England the kings and blue bloods had exclusive servants to put on gunpowder shows, one of the oldest recorded events was the wedding of Henry VII in 1486.
But the appearance of the fireworks held in the hand, better known as sparklers, was until 1936, when Octavius Hunt's match factory in England bought a primitive formula for making sparklers from a German company.
Over time, the manufacture of fireworks has been evolving until arriving at what today are known as pyrotechnic games. They come in various shapes, sizes and colors that make celebrations truly magical.
Today, unlike in the 19th century, they are no longer made in the UK. Now most of them come from China, India and the Czech Republic. Likewise, in South American countries, the artisanal manufacture of these fireworks has increased.
But unfortunately the use of fireworks households turns out to be of great danger and can cause terrible accidents such as explosions and high-grade burns. Nowadays the misfortunes for using pyrotechnic products and fireworks are headlines in the media.
Incorrect handling, lack of supervision and safety are the cause of hearing injuries, burns, open wounds and limb amputations, cause fires and even cases of poisoning in children by ingestion or aspiration of gunpowder.
When handling a firework it is always necessary to have eye and ear protection, since the explosion by which the lights are generated produces a loud noise that could cause damage.
Recommendations
If fireworks and pyrotechnic products are going to be used, they must confirm that they have the corresponding authorization and security seal according to the policies of each country. Once the appliance is on, stand back a safe distance. If fireworks are used, they must be handled by adults, always with due precautions. Here are some indications to prevent undesirable damage:
-Keep children away and do not point at other people.
-Place it in ventilated places, away from places with danger of combustion.
-Do not place them in pockets.
-Do not expose it to sources of heat.
-Read and respect the instructions for use of each device.
-The fireworks they should be used outdoors, away from buildings or houses.
-If a device does not explode, you should never touch it. Put it out with plenty of water and stay away.
-Avoid lighting firecrackers with short fuses (one centimeter or less), as they don't give the person who lights them time to get far enough away.
-Do not throw or light fireworks in areas at risk of forest fires.
-Do not allow children to handle these devices alone, teach them safety measures for their use.
But human beings are not the only ones that can be in danger, pets can have unusual behaviors such as anxiety and episodes of aggression by listening to the noises produced by fireworks .
Some may run after firecrackers and hurt themselves if they go off near their body. Others seek shelter under beds and couches, etc.
They can also show loss of appetite, wandering, tremors, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, urinating or defecating on themselves, breaking objects, etc. These signs can disappear when the stimuli cease or last over time, in some cases leaving sequels or phobias.
Some tips to keep in mind for the well-being of your pet during the celebration of the New Year are:
- Protect pets' ears with noise-reducing cotton plugs.
- Provide her with a place isolated from noise so that she can take refuge and in this way she can be calmer and in a place known to her.
- Never leave your dog or pet tied up, since the panic and terror produced by fireworks causes it to hang itself or break its neck with its own leash or chain.
- Don't forget to place an identification tag with your address on the collar to facilitate the return in case of loss.
- Create background noise to mask outbursts:this can be music, television, or the chatter of other family members.
- If the pets will be alone in the house on the day of the celebrations, make sure that they do not have access to patios and balconies, nor that they can go out through windows, since in a state of disturbance they can be thrown into the void.
- Be sure to leave water, a toy, or something to chew on.
- Do not use cages, unless the animal feels comfortable in them, because it could try to escape by all means, destroying the place and perhaps injuring itself. In addition, we could be adding another stressful factor such as feeling locked up.
- When necessary, use medication to calm him down. The treatment must be in the hands of a veterinarian who will indicate the appropriate dose.