A safe Christmas

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The Bureau of Fire Protection has found it necessary to issue a few tips to help us celebrate accident-free holidays. Most of the tips they gave focused on the use of substandard lights and decorations and on the dangers of playing with firecrackers, which are the leading causes of accidents during the holidays.

One of the things that differentiate the Christmas season for Filipinos would be the lights, decorations, and firecrackers, with at least one of these three being present in almost every home during the extended celebration that lasts almost three months in this country every year. With ridiculously cheap Christmas lights available at just about every corner, many families are tempted to dress up their homes in the spirit of the season because of the minimal cost. More often than not, however, they do not realize the danger being posed by the substandard electrical wiring being used by these cheap lights. Let us not forget that fateful December when the Speaker of the House of Representatives lost a daughter to a fire that was caused by faulty Christmas lights, a chilling reminder that we should always remain vigilant, as accidents do not discriminate between the rich and the poor.

On the other hand, while the use of firecrackers may seem to be on the decline, the danger they pose to human life and limbs has not diminished, especially among children, who are usually the most enamored by these explosives. If accidents are to be prevented, we must do all we can to limit access to firecrackers to those are mature and sober enough to handle them safely, especially those powerful ones whose blasts can easily divest merrymakers of fingers.

Nothing can disrupt this blessed season of hope, joy, and family more than having to deal with an unexpected accident that could have been avoided had safety been taken a little more seriously. If we take the simple but necessary steps to eliminate the threat of accidents from our homes and gatherings, we can ensure that we will be able to enjoy this year's Christmas and New Year celebrations more.*