Firecracker, stray bullet injuries rising–DOH

By: Jerome Aning - 11 years ago

Health Secretary Enrique Ona. AFP File Photo

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 140 fireworks-related injuries as of Friday, three percent higher than the five-year average but four percent lower compared to the same period last year.

According to the “Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction 2013” report of the DOH National Epidemiology Center, 62 cases comprising 44 percent occurred in Metro Manila, followed by 17 cases in the Davao Region. There was one case of firecracker ingestion and five cases of stray bullet injury. No deaths were reported.

Of the 134 fireworks injuries, 114 were males. Forty-four cases were children under 10. Forty-two were passive users or bystanders.

Some 118 sustained blast injuries not requiring amputation. There were 11 eye injuries. A total of 82 injuries were caused by the piccolo, a banned firecracker, the DOH said.

Two cases required amputation: a 14-year-old boy in Cebu who lost his right hand to a “Super Yolanda” firecracker and a 5-year-old boy in Iloilo City whose right index finger was amputated after an explosion from a camara (small dynamite).

There was one new reported case of stray bullet injury, bringing the total to five.

Hit at home

The DOH said a 23-year-old man from Marikina City was hit by a stray bullet in his left flank while watching a fireworks display outside his house. He was admitted to the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

The DOH data came from 50 public and private hospitals around the country.

And, despite a crackdown on the piccolo, it is once again the leading cause of firecracker-related injuries, especially among children.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that more than half of the firecracker injuries reported less than a week before New Year’s were caused by the piccolo.

Parental guidance

He lamented the proliferation of the piccolo in the market despite its being illegal.

But instead of blaming the police, Ona urged parents to look after their children to ensure that they would not have access to firecrackers.

“Children should not be allowed to handle fireworks. We can prevent injuries,” he said.

Ona urged the public to report to the police those selling illegal firecrackers.

The DOH also reported more stray bullet injuries at this time compared to last year.

“To us, this is worrisome because stray bullet injuries are rising,” said Ona.

He appealed to gun owners to refrain from firing their guns during the New Year revelry. With a report from Tina G. Santos in Manila and Jhunnex Napallacan, Inquirer Visayas