The explosion that killed seven people and injured 38 in an Internet cafe in Kaili city of Guizhou province on Dec 4 once again reminded us of the safety hazards around us. Reports say the Internet cafee had the official permission to run the business, and the cause of the blast was dangerous chemicals stored in an adjacent room.

The explosion teaches us three important lessons. First, official approval is not enough to ensure the safety of a business and it should be mandatory for relevant supervision departments to conduct regular inspections. Conditions in a business establishment could change with the passage of time even if they appear safe on the surface.

Second, supervision department officials should monitor the sale and storage of hazardous chemicals more strictly as the Chinese lunar new year nears. The demand for hazardous chemicals increases a couple of months before the lunar year because they are needed to make fireworks.

Third, regular campaigns should be organized to increase public awareness of common dangerous chemicals and the proper way to handle them. Only when people are fully aware of impending dangers can we build a safe and peaceful society.

Cherry Chen, via e-mail

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