– This is a day when drunk people handle explosives in large crowds. It can’t go well.
This is what ophthalmologist and department director Nils Bull at Haukeland University Hospital says to TV 2.
This is the eighteenth year that Bull will count the number of eye injuries after the New Year celebrations. He says that they have prevented as much as possible, and made sure that women, children and sensible men wear safety glasses. But there is one group that remains wary.
CHIEF DOCTOR: For eighteen years, Nils Bull has been counting the number of eye injuries after the New Year’s celebrations at Haukeland Hospital. Photo: Geir Johnny Huneide / TV 2
– The unreasonable men do not allow themselves to be brought up, have never allowed themselves to be brought up and they still will not allow themselves to be brought up. The only way we do that is to take away those fireworks.
Bull would have preferred to see that private fireworks were banned.
– Safe if professionals take care of it
This year, Oslo will not have a unified, public launch of fireworks.
Bull doesn’t think a stop to public firing is the way to go. He believes that a firework that is handled by pyrotechnicians is the best solution.
– Then you get a safe and integrated firework, without all these damages.
The reason why Oslo municipality is dropping the fireworks this year is, among other things, due to finances, to protect animals and refugees who may be re-traumatized by loud noises and bangs, says Eivind Trædal, group leader for Oslo MDG to TV 2.
– I would like to see the connection
Trædal believes that people who buy fireworks do so regardless of whether the municipality has a joint launch.
DOES NOT SEE CONNECTION: Eivind Trædal thinks people had bought fireworks even though the municipality had set them off this year as well. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2
– I would have liked to have seen that connection. But I think the municipality should look at how we can offer this type of entertainment, without blowing up many millions on explosives.
He also believes that people themselves should take responsibility for how they behave around fireworks.
– Many people use it in a state where they should perhaps be left alone.
