Łukasz B., aged 12, bought a firecracker at a sports stand in the Dom Handlowy department store. The following day, while setting it off, he suffered burns and lacerations to his right hand.
Teachers had already complained that pupils were bringing firecrackers to school and setting them off. Firecrackers were also exploding in many shops, on pavements and in public offices, causing people unprepared for the powerful blast—and especially people with heart conditions—to suffer palpitations.
Doctor Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk says that she sees the consequences of children playing with firecrackers with her own eyes, observing injuries to the upper and lower limbs, the loss of fingers and even—in an incident that occurred several years ago—the severing of genitals. It is possible to understand children’s inclination to play at explosions and imitate scenes from wartime video films. What is surprising, however, is the indifference of parents towards dangerous games, the indifference of passers-by and the police’s failure to react to disturbances of the peace. The carelessness of firecracker sellers is already reprehensible: in pursuit of profit, they maim children. Carnival and New Year are approaching. Firecrackers and fireworks will certainly be set off. It would be good if someone ensured that the imported fireworks were safe and that parents restricted their children’s exploits to the appropriate time and supervised the location.