New Year is around the corner and people all across the country may be using the opportunity to stay up late and gather with family to celebrate it.
Some might just watch the countdown from home, some might even travel to Kuala Lumpur to see the fireworks display.
Either way, you’re probably going to hear fireworks booming around you, whether it be the smaller ones or the grand display like the ones in Kuala Lumpur.
However, it might not be the scene for everyone since it’s loud and potentially dangerous.
If you’ve been to Kuala Lumpur or any other major cities in the country, you would know how pact it is with people when the countdown to midnight is near.
Not Everyone Enjoys the Loud Fireworks
There are a lot of people that might not enjoy fireworks as much as most of us do.
It’s not exactly their fault and there are a bunch of reason why someone you know might decline your invitation if fireworks are involved.
As parents, we also need to be aware of our child’s conditions as it also might affect if they can enjoy fireworks as much as we do or not.
According to Total Education Solutions, there are a certain group of people that have the most concern about fireworks during a celebration are:
1. People with Autism
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) see and experience the world in very different ways than those that are neurotypical.
For many, this condition brings along heightened sensory sensitivities.
Which would mean that the mild unease that causes fireworks to be so thrilling to most people can be absolutely overwhelming for someone with ASD.
Have you ever felt and reacted to unexpectedly hearing a loud sound to the point it was overwhelming?
That’s essentially how someone with ASD experiences fireworks.
Even when they know it’s coming, the sound is still so loud that they jump or flinch immediately and move into a ‘fight-or-flight’ mode.
Without thinking, they might try to run from the source of sound or try to attack it.
Other factors can also contribute to this ‘fight-or-flight’ mode for these people such as the sight and being in close proximity with many people.
2. People with PTSD
People with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may or may not be sensitive to loud sounds.
They might have different symptoms and causes.
According to PTSD UK, for people with severe trauma, it would result in physical responses including changes to ‘auditory processing’ or the mechanisms used to collect and analyse sound.
Someone with this condition can feel like their hearing is sending false signals.
If they’re experiencing great stress, their brain might switch off sounds or muffle it.
They might have an exaggerated startled response or hyperacusis, a condition that has low tolerance to sound.
Fireworks and How It Affects Air Quality
If you’re planning to showcase fireworks, you might need to consider how it affects the air quality and health.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, there are a few ways fireworks can affect the quality of air and that includes:
1. Colour and Metal
The beautiful colours you see in fireworks are made from powdered metallic salts that manufacturers add to the explosive firework shells.
There are copper, barium and strontium to create the colours, while powdered magnesium provides the bright flashes of white.
According to a research, excessive exposure to copper can result in liver damage and gastrointestinal symptoms.
2. Smoke and Particulate Matter
The smoke from the fireworks are comprised of both coarse and fine particles.
Nitrogen and sulphur that are used to create colour and special effects, can combine with oxygen to form nitric and sulphuric acids which are very hard on the lungs.
Other Activities You Can Do Aside From Fireworks
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to skip out celebrating New Year’s entirely.
There are plenty of other things you can do with your family this coming festive day and here are a few good ones you can try.
1. Compile a Bucket List
Have your kids, your partner, and every other family member make a list of what they want to do for themselves and what they want to do with the family within the coming year.
Read them out and plan out what’s possible to done within the year.
If possible, plan and schedule it. Keep the lists somewhere visible so the whole family can stay motivated to complete their yearly bucket list.
2. Put Together a Time Capsule
Have everyone in your family put in an item of choosing or notes to be read on a certain date.
Seal it all up and set out a date to open it.
Make it an annual thing as you open up the previous year’s capsule and put in something new for the upcoming year.
3. Watch a Movie
Have an early dinner and get ready for a movie night.
Make everybody’s favourite snack and cuddle up in front of the television for a family movie night.
You can even find movies that have countdowns in them.
For example, according to Comic Book, if you watch Iron Man 3 at 11:55:50 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, you can time the countdown going on in the movie to real life.
That way, your kids can say they celebrated the new year counting down with Tony Stark.
4. Dress Up
Halloween isn’t the only day you can dress up.
Have the whole family go the extra mile and dress up as different decades.
Let’s Welcome 2024 with More Than Fireworks
As the clock ticks closer to midnight and the anticipation for 2024 hangs thick in the air, remember: celebrating the new year doesn’t have to hinge on deafening explosions.
While fireworks may paint the night sky with dazzling hues, their impact extends beyond the spectacle.
For some, the sounds and environmental effects can trigger anxieties, raise concerns and pose health risks.
This New Year’s Eve, let’s embrace inclusivity and celebrate with the richness of alternative experiences.
From crafting bucket lists and time capsules to cosy movie nights and themed family dress-ups, the possibilities are endless.
These options ignite the joy of togetherness, weave memories worth cherishing, and spark excitement for the year ahead, all without a single fiery boom.
So, as the countdown begins, let’s raise a toast to new beginnings, with open hearts and mindful choices.
Together, we can paint our own vibrant canvas for 2024, one that illuminates not just the sky, but the connections we hold dear.
Here’s to a quieter, brighter, and more inclusive New Year, where the true fireworks blaze within us, fueled by love, hope, and the promise of a year brimming with possibilities.
Happy 2024 to you and yours from Motherhood with love!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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