Personally, I believe that we should not go to extremes. On the one hand, we should preserve the old custom of letting off firecrackers; on the other hand, we should make it harmless. This can be done by banning firecrackers from public places. In addition, the setting off of firecrackers should be restricted to festival days.
(c)
There has been much controversy over setting off firecrackers in the past years, with each party owning convincing evidences. Those who are in favor of setting firecrackers claim that it is an ancient Chinese custom that should be preserved. They also argue that firecrackers make festivals and holiday occasions more colorful and entertaining for both adults and children. Without firecrackers, festivals would become cold and cheerless.
On the other hand, there are many people who are of the opinion that firecrackers should be banned. They point out that firecrackers are responsible for fires which destroy property, and for injuries suffered both by the people who set them off and by innocent bystanders. Besides, they maintain that firecrackers lead to a waste of money and resources.
Personally, I think that both sides have something right. Actually, firecrackers should be viewed as a two-edged sword, which presents us with both benefits and troubles. But we should not give up eating for fear of choking. The best policy, as I see it, is to maximize their advantages and minimize their unhealthy inf