Novelty items defused for British troops

LONDON, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The British Forces Post Office ordered that 650 Christmas crackers -- novelty items that make a popping sound -- be defused before going to the military.

The crackers, which create tiny explosions when a tab is pulled, were bound for British troops serving in combat areas, but the post office said they could not be accepted on "safety" grounds until they were defused, it was reported Monday.

"Christmas crackers are classified as dangerous air cargo and therefore require special handling," a Ministry of Defense spokesman told the Telegraph.

"The troops will just have to go 'bang' themselves when they pull them," said Ian Dalzel-Job of the Scots Guards Association, which is heading the effort to send Christmas care packages to the troops.