Trinidad doesn’t need scratch bombs

Speaking with Newsday yesterday, Abraham, said that the problem of scratch bombs entering the local fireworks market is not a new one and has become a nuisance to Old Year’s Night celebrations in recent years.

“It’s become an annoyance to society because it’s an overpowered item which is illegally imported into the country and it doesn’t come with any guide or labelling for its proper use,” Abraham said.

“It’s really just a strip of cardboard wrapped around a small bit of sulphur, used in place of a wick, which doesn’t give the user any adequate time to throw it or run away after it has been lit, which often leads to the device exploding in the person’s hand. Scratch bombs are usually eight to ten times more powerful than conventional fireworks, so it’s a very loud, very explosive device and it doesn’t meet any of the international safety guidelines and I must commend Minister Cuffie for his push to eliminate these items from our local market.” Abraham added that he is satisfied with the renewed concern by members of the public against the use of illegal fireworks and called on legislators to amend existing laws regulating the import and distribution of similar items.

“The laws governing the sale and use of illegal fireworks are much similar to the laws governing the speed limit.

They need to change with the times in order to facilitate the newer, more powerful brands of fireworks that are now making their way to local markets. If we do see amendments to these laws and the introduction of newer laws, I think that the police will have greater ground in combating the use of these items.” Abraham also urged public to purchase their fireworks from reputable, licensed fireworks dealers and explained that fireworks use for Old Year’s Night celebrations should be restricted between the hours of 11 pm and 1am, adding that pet owners should secure their animals in rooms with a television or radio to drown out the sound of the explosions.