Gov’t: 101 fireworks injuries in five days

LEGAL Safe firecrackers are sold in Divisoria, Manila, a few days before New Year’s Eve. —Marianne Bermudez

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Juan Victor Remulla called on local governments to strictly enforce rules on firecrackers and other pyrotechnics as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 101 fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) across the country in only five days.

In a Dec. 23 memorandum, Remulla told local governments to issue ordinances and other regulations on firecrackers as prescribed by Executive Order No. 28 series of 2017.

Remulla reiterated rules that restrict firecracker use only to those deemed safe and only in community fireworks displays that have secured necessary permits.

READ: DOH says 26 more people hurt due to firecrackers post-Christmas Day

He urged local governments to conduct information campaigns on the danger of prohibited fireworks and the use of firearms, and the danger of fire due to improper use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

He also ordered the Philippine National Police “to conduct inspection and the confiscation, and destruction of prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices” and increase police visibility in areas of high public traffic.

The DILG chief issued the memorandum after Albert Domingo, spokesperson for the DOH and assistant secretary, reported in a government television interview that 79 percent of the 101 cases were caused by illegal fireworks, such as “boga,” five star and piccolo, which account for eight of every 10 cases.

Domingo said the top three regions with many FWRIs are the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Cagayan Valley.

“Top four is Western Visayas, and then top five, two regions are tied—Ilocos and Central Visayas,” he said.

“While rocket fireworks (kwitis) is legal, it has become the fourth-top cause of injuries,” he said.

Ninety-two of the 101 cases were males and nine were females. Eighty-two were aged 19 and below, while the 19 were ages 20 and above.

Domingo estimated, citing previous data, that five percent of the injuries may have involved amputations.

In case of injury, Domingo advised that first aid may be performed before going to the hospital for proper treatment and a tetanus shot.

He said pressure must be applied to bleeding wounds to avoid blood loss. Nonbleeding wounds may be cleaned immediately with soap and running water, but victims must proceed to the hospital for proper treatment.

In severe cases, severed body parts must not be put directly on ice because it may cause tissue damage and other problems. The severed body part should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and then wrapped in a towel with some ice. —with a report from PNA