Anticipating the usual thick curtain of smog that envelops cities and densely populated areas after New Year revelries, the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday advised Wednesday night’s merrymakers, especially those with respiratory problems and allergies, to take precautions.
A plain face or surgical mask won’t keep toxic dust from firecrackers and smoke from fireworks out of the lungs, but a wet washcloth or towel would, Dr. Cirilo Galindez, head of the DOH’s Health Emergency Management Bureau, told reporters.
“We advise those with respiratory diseases and allergies to cover their noses with a wet cloth to prevent inhaling smoke from fireworks,” Galindez said, noting that smoke is an irritant that can trigger asthma attacks and allergies.
Stay indoors
Galindez said vulnerable people, including children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments such as asthma, must stay indoors to avoid exposure to smog caused by fireworks.
Smog can cause watery eyes, dry respiratory passages, runny nose and cough, which can lead to chronic bronchitis, according to health experts.
They said long exposure to smog could also worsen asthma and cause lung cancer.
For a smog-free New Year celebration, the DOH recommends the use of safe noisemakers like paper horns, or “torotot.” People can also play music loud, honk their car horns, join neighborhood parties, play parlor games or watch concerts.
Firecracker injuries
The DOH has recorded 162 firecracker-related injuries since Dec. 16.
It said 23 new cases, including powder ingestion, had been monitored as of Tuesday.
The powder ingestion involved a 9-year-old boy from La Loma, Quezon City, who was taken to University of Santo Tomas Hospital after eating a piece of “luces,” or sparkler, the DOH said. It was the second case of powder ingestion this holiday season, the agency said.
Of the total number of cases, 35 percent were children below 10.
Forty-four percent of the cases were reported in Metro Manila, with Manila having the most number of cases—27.
At least six of the victims lost fingers, while 31 sustained injuries to their eyes, the DOH said.
The banned firecracker “piccolo,” attractive to children because of its beautiful colors, was still the top cause of blast injuries, accounting for 70 percent of the total cases, the DOH said.
Illegal gun discharge
Eleven people have been reported injured due to illegal firing of guns, according to the Philippine National Police.
Of those injured, the PNP said, seven were hit by stray bullets and four were hurt in illegal firing of guns.
The PNP said it had recorded 10 stray bullet incidents and 10 incidents of illegal gun discharge since Dec. 16.
Most of the incidents were reported in Metro Manila, the PNP said.
So far, six people have been apprehended for illegally firing guns, three of them policemen, it said.
The PNP also said 15 people had been arrested for possession of and selling banned firecrackers.
Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, spokesman for the PNP, reminded the public not to buy or use banned firecrackers, which, he said, contained more than two grams of powder.
Mayor said policemen and their families should not consider themselves exempt from the law and use illegal firecrackers.
“Crying bading,” “piccolo,” “pop-up,” “Goodbye, Philippines,” “Goodbye, Yolanda,” “pla-pla,” “giant kwitis” and “watusi” are among the banned firecrackers.
The PNP has confiscated P93,367 worth of banned firecrackers, including “superlolo,” “lolo thunder,” “atomic bomb,” “big triangulo” and “Goodbye, Philippines.”
Soldiers warned
Also on Tuesday, the military warned soldiers anew of the dangers of and the penalties for indiscriminate firing of guns and illegal use of firecrackers in welcoming the New Year.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. urged the soldiers to spend New Year’s Eve with their families and loved ones.
Catapang said setting off huge and illegal firecrackers and firing guns in the air posed great risks to other people.
“We support the government’s drive to stop the malpractice of firing guns and igniting illegal firecrackers to celebrate the New Year,” Catapang said.
“This is part of our commitment to public safety, quality of life and vitality in communities where we serve,” he added.
Demotion, dismissal
Catapang said the AFP had given soldiers a stern warning that indiscriminate firing of guns is punishable under the Articles of War and may result in demotion or dismissal from the service.
He said any soldier who would be seen firing his gun must be reported to the police or to the nearest military command.
“We would also like to remind soldiers and civilians alike that a falling bullet can reach speeds of [90 to 210 meters] per second, and that it takes a bullet speed of [60 meters] per second to penetrate a human skull. In this regard, we must not tolerate anyone who shoots their guns in the air,” he said.
Catapang said he was pleased to learn that as of Tuesday, there was no recorded incident of illegal firearms discharge involving military personnel during the holiday season.–With reports from Julie M. Aurelio and Cynthia D. Balana