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 SpringFestival 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,plussing 150,000 volunteers.
Editor: Joey
