On January 4, 2023, insurers reported that total damage to private property is estimated at 10 million euros. Added to that is damage resulting from medical expenses and damage to business and government property. The damage caused by fireworks is expected to far exceed the 16 million euros recorded in 2019.
Not a good habit
One of my clients in the insurance industry asked me on New Year’s Day if I would write an article about damage caused by fireworks. I got right to work that same day. To prepare, I read a lot of news reports about New Year’s Eve. My conclusion: I don’t think setting off fireworks is a good habit anymore. What a mess—and what enormous damage….
All types of fireworks can cause damage: sparklers, children’s fireworks, legal fireworks, and certainly illegal ones as well. There was damage to property (such as buildings, cars, and street furniture). But I find the serious injuries resulting in permanent damage to hands, feet, faces, and eyes to be far worse.
A Night of Horror at the Eye Hospital
At the Rotterdam Eye Hospital, doctors are already describing the situation as a true “night of horror” just before midnight. At that point, the hospital had already admitted 17 fireworks victims with severe and permanent eye injuries. The victims included children—the youngest being 7 years old—as well as several teenagers and adults (mostly men). On New Year’s Day, the Eye Hospital announced that a total of 25 fireworks victims had been treated.
My one eye is crying along with it
An ophthalmologist says he finds it absolutely heartbreaking that, after the relatively quiet COVID years, we’re back to square one. Visibly moved, he explains that there are many eyes among his patients that will never see again. A plastic surgeon, swallowing back her tears, describes how, during surgery on an 11-year-old child, she had to amputate both the fingers and the eye.
In the days that followed, other doctors, visibly moved, also spoke about the horrific injuries to the eyes and other limbs, and about the pain and grief of the victims. One of my eyes is crying along with them.
To Ban Fireworks or Not
In recent days, there has been a debate between supporters and opponents over whether or not to implement a total ban on fireworks. Supporters argue that decorative fireworks are very beautiful and that setting off fireworks should be allowed to continue. Opponents believe fireworks are dangerous and cause too much damage.
I completely agree with the opponents. I am not a fan of fireworks. If they weren’t so dangerous, I wouldn’t mind if people continued to set them off. The harmful consequences are simply far too great. That is why I support a ban on the production, import, sale, possession, and storage of all types of fireworks. That is the only way to prevent the damage—and, above all, the suffering—caused by fireworks.
I wish everyone a healthy, happy, and safe 2023!
Anita Hol-Bubeck
