The Department of Health (DOH) appealed to parents to watch their children to avoid firecracker-related injuries or deaths.
In a media release, DOH strongly advised parents and caregivers not to allow children to use firecrackers especially in welcoming the New Year.
“Hanggat maaari, huwag nating bigyan at pagamitin ng paputok ang mga bata. Siguraduhin na hindi mamumulot ng paputok ang mga bata. Ang tetano ay nakamamatay at ito ay nakukuha sa impeksiyon na dulot ng sugat mula sa paputok.” Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin explained.
The DOH also called the cooperation of the local government units and the Philippine National Police if not to ban the selling or use of firecrackers in the community, at least foster community fireworks display in order to control the use of fireworks and firecrackers
In case of an injury due to firecrackers, DOH advised that the wounds must be immediately washed with clean running water until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue is removed.
The patient must immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention.
Meanwhile, according to the online reports of the Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR) of DOH-6, six persons in Western Visayas were injured by firecrackers during Christmas celebration
On December 22, a 9-year old male from Brgy. Oñate De Leon, Mandurriao, Iloilo City was brought to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) for having blast injury in the right hand due to piccolo, an illegal firecracker.
He was given tetanus immunoglobulin of human origin (HTIG) and tetanus toxoid and was sent home.
No cases were reported on December 21, 23, and 24 in the city and province of Iloilo.
On Christmas Day, a 13 year old male from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, was admitted at WVMC after suffering from blast injury with amputation of fingers in the right hand due to homemade firecracker. He was given HTIG and tetanus toxoid and was sent home.
In the province of Capiz, four were injured based on emailed reports from Sapian Rural Health Unit (RHU), Pontevedra RHU, and Bailan District Hospital. (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)
