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.
