By: Smart Olawale
We will be narrow-minded if we don’t see learning from past tragedies and accident as one of the proactive measures to achieve our safety need.
Happiness, Joy, Family reunion and a lot more are attributes of the Christmas season. The ecstasy that comes from knowing that a new year is around the corner is just another feeling that no one will ever outgrow.
This season, religious places will organize crusades and prayer meetings. With seriousness, humility and heaviness of heart billions of people will request God to keep their families and themselves safe to witness the New Year.
To avoid theological infractions, let us only make do with the literal understanding of James 2:26 that say: “…so faith without works is dead also”. Deeds and faith are inseparable, that is what it says.
Hence, as we pray for safety, let our actions align with that SAFETY NEED. You are not the only who is happy when you are hale and healthy. Forget sentimentality and don’t be a bigoted individual. Truth is that, just according to the Department for International Development (DFID), “The equitable provision of safety, security and justice to all citizens is important for legitimacy and effectiveness (of any country).
We will be narrow-minded if we don’t see learning from past tragedies and accident as one of the proactive measures to achieve our safety need.
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This article provides summarized lessons:
1) The fireworks hazards: What is Christmas without banger? It is simply unthinkable. Fireworks are part of the Christmas culture. They are important to set the mood for the festive period. However, if not properly handled, fireworks are capable of causing tragedy as much as they can create excitement.
The tragedy that struck in Cuba is a perfect example. Las Parrandas de Remedios Christmas Festival is a popular carnival in Cuba—centuries-old. It is an event that always attracts thousands of Cubans and Tourists. In 2017, the event made the headline for what was really undesirable; a firework explosion happened and many people suffered varying degrees of injuries.
It is important for us to be extra careful when playing with fireworks. National Safety Council advises that “Only use (fireworks) away from people, houses and flammable material. Never point or throw fireworks at another person. Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting… Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire”.
Meanwhile, fireworks are adults business, it’s no kid’s play.
2) Cooking Accident: According to Turfs University’s Department of Public Safety, Cooking fires are the primary cause of home fires and home fire injuries. The majority of cooking equipment fires start with the ignition of common household items (i.e., wall coverings, paper or plastic bags, curtains, etc.).
While we go about cooking for friends and families, let’s be careful.
3) Christmas Lightning: The Christmas lights, candles may look harmless. But if they are not handled properly, they can wreak havoc.
A BBC report said, “Domestic accidents account for 8,000 victims on Christmas Day and another 10,000 on New Year’s Day. One thousand alone are caused by Christmas tree fairy lights”.
