The hidden cost of New Year’s celebrations
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, the sky lights up with a dazzling display of colours, each firework going off to mark the passing of another year. The spectacle is undeniably mesmerising—a universal symbol of hope and celebration. But amid the cacophony of cheers, have we paused to consider who might not be so thrilled about our celebratory detonations?
Beneath the glow of fireworks, we rarely pause to consider the impact on the most vulnerable among us. For young children, the loud sounds of firecrackers cause not excitement but distress. The sharp, jarring explosions disrupt sleep, trigger fear, and leave many inconsolable. Paediatric studies have long highlighted the detrimental effects of sleep disturbances and heightened anxiety on children. Yet, during New Year's Eve celebration, this knowledge often takes a backseat, overshadowed by the pursuit of spectacle.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. For the elderly, the experience is equally harrowing. Sudden, high-decibel sounds act can potentially trigger pre-existing health conditions. Those with cardiovascular issues face heightened risks of heart attacks or elevated blood pressure, while those with hearing aids may find the noise unbearably amplified. The psychological toll cannot be ignored either. The barrage of firecrackers is more than an inconvenience; it comes off as an assault on their peace and well-being.
Animals are silent victims of our inconsiderate celebrations. Domesticated pets, accustomed to quieter environments, react with panic. Dogs hide under furniture, trembling with fear, while cats flee to secluded corners, driven by instincts to escape perceived danger. Birds, disoriented by the noise and flashing lights, abandon their roosts, sometimes unable to return. Stray animals, already burdened with a life of neglect, are left completely exposed. Their frantic attempts to flee often result in accidents or permanent displacement, a cruel side-effect of our celebrations.
Noise pollution, though less visible, is no less damaging. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long classified noise as a significant health hazard, linking prolonged exposure to stress, sleep disorders, and cardiovascular disease. Firecrackers push decibel levels far beyond safe thresholds, affecting not only humans but also the natural environment. Individuals with PTSD are especially vulnerable, as the explosions can trigger severe flashbacks—a grim irony when the noise meant to symbolise joy becomes a source of torment.
Then there's the environmental cost. Firecrackers release toxic chemicals into the air. Cities often wake up to a blanket of smog on New Year's Day, a grim reminder of the previous night's excesses. This pollution exacerbates respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. For those already struggling with health issues, the added pollution is a direct threat. But hey, what is a little more smog when you are having fun, right? After all, nothing says "new beginnings" like ushering in the year with a fresh layer of particulate matter.
Defenders of this annual ritual argue that fireworks are a harmless tradition. But harmless for whom? Perhaps for those who can afford to have insulated homes to muffle the chaos outside. For everyone else—children, the elderly, animals, and the environmentally conscious—it is less harmless tradition and more universal nuisance. The notion of harmlessness is often a privilege enjoyed by those unaffected by the consequences.
This year, a writ petition sought measures to curb disruptive activities on New Year's Eve. In response, the High Court issued directives to mitigate the chaos, instructing the police to prevent gatherings on rooftops, open spaces and parks, and banning the use of firecrackers. However, as the night unfolded, it became evident that these directives struggled to translate into practice.
The persistence of such practices despite legal and moral opposition raises troubling questions about our priorities. Perhaps the issue is not the lack of laws but our unwillingness to embrace their necessity? Rules can be imposed, but without a cultural buy-in, they remain mere suggestions, easily ignored. True celebration lies not in how loudly we proclaim our joy but in how inclusively we share it. The stray dog did not ask to spend New Year's Eve trembling in fear, nor did your neighbour's cat volunteer for a panic attack every time a firecracker went off.
As a business student, I offer a satirical proposition. Why not replace fireworks with pre-recorded cheering? Or better yet, distribute noise-cancelling headphones as party favours? Silent fireworks, which offer the same visual spectacle without the auditory assault, are another innovative alternative. Imagine celebrating without terrorising every living being within a 10-kilometre radius. Fun, right?
It's high time we realised that joy need not come at the expense of others' peace. A society that prides itself on empathy and progress must find ways to celebrate without causing a living nightmare for those unable to voice their distress.
Maisha Islam Monamee is a student at Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at the University of Dhaka and a contributor at The Daily Star. She can be reached at @monameereads on Instagram.
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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