Early in December and days before the New Year celebrations will start, the Department of Health has repeatedly reminded the public to have a safe and prosperous celebration by avoiding injuries due to exploding fireworks.
In a statement, DOH said it has teamed up with other government agencies that include Department of Interior and Local Government , Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection in the official launching of the 2016 anti-firecracker campaign.
A non-government organization, the EcoWaste Coalition also joined the launching of the campaign, the DOH added.
This year’s campaign carries the theme “IwasPaputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisa Fireworks Display sa inyong lugar”.
DOH is utilizing a different approach in its campaign against firecrackers this year that will focus on encouraging the public to use alternative ways to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
The agency has been conveying its anti-firecracker campaigns through scare tactics and positive approaches in the past.
“For this year, instead of firecrackers, the public is encouraged to use safe merry-making instruments and alternative noise-makers such as ‘torotot’, car horns, or by playing loud music. Also, the local government units (LGUs) are urged to foster community firework display,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said.
Increased number of injuries
The DOH also came out with a data on the number of injuries caused by firecrackers in 2015.
The agency reported a total of 932 cases injuries nationwide from December 21, 2015 to January 5, 2016.
The number was 72 cases or eight percent higher compared to 2014 with 860 injuries recorded.
Of the 932 reported injuries, 920 or 98.7% were due to fireworks; 10 or 1.1% from stray bullets; while 2 or 0.2% were cases of firecracker ingestion.
There was one death due to massive injuries from an exploding good-bye Philippines, the DOH added.
The agency also pointed out that any type of fireworks, illegal or not, can cause injuries as majority, or 555 cases (59%) of the fireworks related injuries (FWRI) were caused by illegal fireworks and 277 (29%) were from legal fireworks.
The data also indicated that most injuries recorded last year were caused by piccolo (385 or 42%), followed by unknown firecrackers (109 or 12%) because the victims were bystanders, while 103 (11%) cases of FWRI were recorded due to kwitis, followed by luces (sparklers) with 55 cases (6%).
Children should never use any fireworks as 40% of the injured were children less than 15 years old.
Most fireworks-related injuries came from the National Capital Region with 523 (56%), followed by Western Visayas 82 cases (9%), and Ilocos Region 68(7%), the data added.
DOH said that Davao city is continue to be considered as injury-free after it totally banned fireworks in 2002.
Ban put on hold
DOH also took note of the fact that the Executive Order that will ban fireworks use nationwide was put on hold for next year.
“This will allow the government to discuss its impact on the fireworks industry and find practical ways to impose the ban,” the DOH said.
The health agency also reminded the public that in case of an injury due to firecrackers, the wounds must be immediately washed with clean running water until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue are removed.
The patient must immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention to prevent permanent injuries and disability and deaths due to Tetanus.
The agency also assured the country that all DOH Hospitals are prepared to attend to injuries related to fireworks this month.
“Serious injuries and amputation caused by firecracker explosions have life-changing consequences. It is an extreme gamble on one’s future. Every time a firecracker is ignited, a person’s life is at risk, hence, let us do all our part. Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisasa Fireworks Display sa inyong lugar,” Secretary Ubial said.
