Dangerous Crackers: A pop-pop is a small firecracker that resembles a small piece of paper or a clove of garlic. It doesn't require matches, lighters, or sparklers to ignite.

Surguja firecracker accident

Surguja Firecracker Tragedy: A tragic incident has occurred in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district. In Baneya village, under the Sitapur police station area, a one-and-a-half-year-old child put a garlic pop-pop firecracker into his mouth while playing. While the child was chewing on the firecracker, it exploded with a loud noise inside his mouth. The accident severely damaged the internal nerves in the child's mouth. He died of excessive bleeding while undergoing treatment at the hospital. This incident has once again raised the question: how dangerous can the pop-pop firecracker, so popular among children, be?

What is a pop-pop firecracker?

A pop-pop is a small firecracker that resembles a small paper packet or a clove of garlic. Unlike other firecrackers, it doesn't require a match, lighter, or sparkler to set it off. Simply throwing it on the ground or a hard surface produces a loud explosion. This is why children easily use it, throwing it repeatedly while playing. However, this very ability to explode without igniting makes it more vulnerable than other firecrackers.

What does it consist of and how does it work?

According to officials with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), pop-pop firecrackers are coated with a sensitive explosive chemical called silver fulminate, along with extremely fine particles of gravel or sand. This chemical is highly sensitive to friction and pressure. As soon as it is subjected to even the slightest pressure or friction, it reacts immediately and explodes. This is why it can explode suddenly even if kept in a pocket, squeezed with fingers, or rubbed against something.

How dangerous is it and what problems can it cause?

Ignoring pop-pop firecrackers, believing them to be quiet, can lead to serious physical harm. The risk is exponentially greater, especially for young children. The biggest danger is putting them in the mouth. Pop-pops are so small and white in color that young children mistake them for candy, sugar candy, or other edible items. If a child accidentally chews them, they can explode inside the mouth under pressure. This can cause serious damage to the tongue, gums, and delicate nerves within the mouth. In many cases, the internal injuries are so severe that excessive bleeding can even lead to death.

Additionally, there's the risk of injury to hands and fingers. Children often, out of curiosity, try to squeeze or crush the shell between their fingers. A bursting shell in the hand can cause burns or deep wounds to the fingers. Furthermore, if children throw it near their faces, the fine sand or gravel particles present inside can be thrown into the eyes, potentially damaging the cornea.

There is also a risk of tearing in the pocket and damaging the ears.

Children often stuff a handful of pop-pop crackers into their pants or shirt pockets while playing. Rubbing against each other and body pressure while walking or sitting can cause these crackers to explode simultaneously inside the pocket. This can cause skin burns and injuries. Furthermore, the loud sound of crackers exploding close to the ear can have a detrimental effect on the delicate eardrums of young children.

Be cautious about untested and banned firecrackers.

Pop-pop firecrackers, manufactured without any safety checks, are often sold openly in the market. The chemical content in these unregulated firecrackers can exceed the permissible limit, making the explosion even more dangerous. Security agencies have repeatedly appealed to the public to purchase only firecrackers with valid licenses and secure packaging. Don't buy firecrackers simply because they are small in size.

What precautions should be taken regarding pop-pop firecrackers?

For children's safety, it's crucial to never treat pop-pop firecrackers as toys. If such firecrackers are brought home, keep them in a closed container out of reach of young children. Don't let young children near any kind of firecracker, as they have a tendency to put everything in their mouths. Teach children not to crush them in their hands, stuff them in their pockets, or throw them at anyone. Never use unpackaged or suspicious firecrackers.