8 APIR Noisemakers This New Year

Each year, hundreds of Filipinos are treated in hospitals for burns, wounds and gun shots caused by firecrackers and indiscriminate firing of guns during New Year's Eve. Making noise is a Filipino tradition and in some countries during this festive season to drive away bad lucks and spirits. The Department of Health has come out with a campaign and slogan to reduce injuries before, on and after New Year's Day. This is called APIR - Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction.

To have a fun and noisy New Year without using firecrackers, here are 8 alternatives:

A Totoy blowing a torotot

Vuvuzela - becomes popular during the Football World Cup

1) Blow a vuvuzela or a torotot

2) Fire a bamboo cannon  - For safety, use the traditional calburo instead of gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid or thinner. Instead of directly blowing air into the hole of the cannon, use PVC or steel pipe/tube.

3) Drag cans - drive slowly though.

4) Bang pots and pans

5) Click a wooden gun

6) Turn on the stereo in full

7) Sing along a karaoke or videoke

8) shout to the max