DOH: Firecracker injuries soar to 73

MANILA, Philippines – The number of revelers injured in firecracker blasts soared to 73 on Christmas Day, acting Health Secretary Janette Garin said yesterday as she called on the public to use alternative noise-making devices in greeting the New Year.

“The Department of Health (DOH) has prepared antibiotic and anti-tetanus (drugs) for those who will be injured by firecracker blasts. But we can never restore a future ruined by firecrackers. Huwag iputok ang paputok (Don’t ignite firecrackers),” Garin said.

Forty-three revelers sustained firecracker injuries on Christmas Day, bringing to 73 the total number of cases since Dec. 21 when the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center started its Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction 2014 surveillance.

The figure, however, is 89 cases lower than the 162 recorded during the same period last year.

Most of the cases were from the National Capital Region, particularly the city of Manila which had 10 cases.

In Region 12 or South Central Mindanao, the DOH recorded 30 cases of firecracker injuries from Dec. 24 to 25.

Jenny Ventura, information officer of the DOH office in Region 12, yesterday said South Cotabato accounted for the most number of Christmas revelry-related injuries.

She said South Cotabato had 16 cases while North Cotabato and General Santos City had four and two cases, respectively.

Kidapawan City had a total of nine recorded firecracker injury cases, Ventura said.

Region 12 had more than a hundred injury cases during last year’s Christmas and New Year’s Day revelries.

Leading causes of injury

Records showed that piccoloremained the leading cause of injuries, accounting for 50 cases.was followed by an unknown type of firecracker (six cases), Five Star (five cases), and lucesand bogawith two cases each.

Records showed that 25 cases involved children below 10 years old. Five of the cases had blast injuries requiring amputation, while nine had eye injuries.

To prevent tetanus, Garin urged those who will sustain even slight cuts or burns to get anti-tetanus shots.

“If you touched or got hold of firecrackers, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water. Parents should remind their kids that gunpowder is toxic,” she said.

Sales up

Meanwhile, fireworks enthusiasts have started trooping to the various pyrotechnic stalls in Bocaue, Bulacan, which is known as the “Fireworks Capital” of the country.

Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc., told The STAR that sales of fireworks products usually start to pick up right after Christmas Day.

PO2 Carlito Buco, Police Non-Commissioned Officer, told reporters that there are 114 registered fireworks dealers in Bocaue and 12 licensed manufacturers.

Seven other manufacturers were ordered closed for not having the proper documents to operate.

On the other hand, 23 fireworks stalls in Barangay Turo were not given permits to operate this year because of their proximity to residential houses.

Store inspection

Police recently inspected several pyrotechnics devices or firecrackers stores in some areas in Bulacan to determine their compliance with Republic Act No. 7183 or the law which regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic equipment.

Melito Mabilin, director for Civil Security Group (CSG), said the purpose of the inspection was to make sure that there would be no casualties during the New Year revelry.

Police said several firecrackers were confiscated in Bocaue.

In Manila, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno led yesterday the confiscation of several boxes of piccolo and other prohibited firecrackers being sold in Divisoria.

Moreno conducted the raid with his staff and members of the Manila Police District.

He said piccolo is among the most dangerous firecrackers in the country today.

“Most of its victims are children and we don‘t want them to welcome the New Year with amputated parts of their bodies,” Moreno said.

Aside from piccolo, Moreno’s group also confiscated several boxes of pla-pla.

Policemen also urged the public to report the use or sale of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

Travel tips

The Aviation Security Unit (ASU) of the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Customs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals yesterday reminded air travelers not to include firecrackers, fountain and other pyrotechnic materials in their check-in luggage to avoid getting fined or imprisoned.

Those who will be caught carrying firecrackers like crying bading, super loloor atomic big trianguloand others that could endanger life will be fined P20,000 to P30,000 or imprisoned for six months to one year.

“We don’t want to arrest anybody and put them behind bars this coming New Year, so we appeal to every passenger to avoid putting these firecrackers in your luggage,” said ASU chief Supt. Christopher Laxa.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has also advised all passengers to coordinate with their airlines for the status of their flights before proceeding to the airport.

The CAAP issued the advisory as all commercial airlines are experiencing flight disruptions this holiday season due to air traffic congestion at the NAIA, sunset or sunrise limitation at several domestic airports, crowded passengers at terminals as well as technical problems with the aircraft. – With Rudy Santos, John Unson, Ramon Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Jose Rodel Clapano