No death caused by firecrackers was reported so far in Beijing
during the Spring Festival holiday, a local official in charge of
firecrackers management has said.
During the Spring Festival holiday, which began Jan. 28,
Beijingers are allowed to light firecrackers in designated areas
after this festive activity was banned in the Chinese capital for
13 years since 1993.
The number of fires caused by firecrackers rose slightly
compared with last year, but no death and serious injury of eyes
were reported as of Thursday, said Li Wei, head of the Beijing
Municipal Office for Firecrackers Management.
This is ascribed to the fact that Beijing residents have set off
firecrackers strictly in accordance with relevant regulations, Li
was quoted by Friday's Beijing Daily Messenger as
saying.
Booms of firecrackers during the Spring Festival, which often
falls in January and February, mark the end of a passing year, or
"Guonian" as the Chinese refer to it. Traditionally, firecrackers
are believed to chase away demons, especially on Lunar New Year's
Eve. This tradition has been passed on from generation to
generation for centuries in China.
Many Chinese cities including Beijing banned firecrackers during
the Spring Festival period for safety reasons years ago. But many
cities have lifted the ban responding to the public request for
such festive activity.
The Standing Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's
Congress adopted new rules, namely the Beijing Municipal
Regulations on Firecrackers Safety Management, in September last
year to replace the Regulations Banning Firecrackers during Spring
Festival and other festivals, which was enacted in 1993. The new
rules eased firecrackers ban during the Spring Festival and other
festivals through out the year.
Many Beijingers are delighted to hear the news of easing
firecrackers ban, saying they can feel the joy and happiness of the
Lunar New Year by lighting up the firecrackers.
But Li, the firecrackers management official, said that local
residents should set off all the firecrackers they have bought
before Feb. 12, the 15th day since the Lunar New Year began, and
should not store firecrackers at home so as to prevent possible
accidents caused by firecrackers.
Local police and firemen have worked around the clock during the
festival period to guarantee the public safety. More than 9,000
police and over 4,000 firemen were on duty on Thursday alone, plus
150,000 volunteers.
(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2006)