The Chinese government urged local work safety authorities yesterday to intensify prevention of accidents caused by fireworks after blasts killed 19 people in the run-up to the Spring Festival.

Nineteen people were killed in four fatal firework explosions in Henan, Anhui and Hebei provinces and Chongqing Municipality between January 21 and February 5, said a circular issued by the Work Safety Committee under the State Council yesterday.

Firework sales have jumped in the country as many cities lifted the ban on firecrackers in recent years and this has posed a challenge to safety management of the product.

Local governments are required to have emergency response schemes and be alert to possible accidents during the festival season.

The circular also urges local authorities to stop illegal production of substandard fireworks. This is a major cause of fatal accidents.

It's an ancient tradition to observe the Spring Festival, or the Chinese lunar New Year, with fireworks. Ancient Chinese believed that setting off firecrackers on the eve of the festival could get rid of misfortune and bring luck. This year's Spring Festival falls on February 18.

(Xinhua News Agency February 9, 2007)