Sparklers wrapped like candy worry doctors

MANILA, Philippines–Blame it on the packaging.

Elvis Mabini, a 5-year-old boy, has been at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) for four days after having a bite of “luces,” mistaking the holiday sparkler for candy.

His mother, Francisca Torres, said her son saw the sparkler inside his sister’s bag and ate it.

“He loves candies. I can’t leave home without giving him money to buy his favorites,” said Torres, a food vendor at Barangay (village) Gitnangbayan in San Mateo, Rizal province.

Children often mistake firecrackers for candy because of its colorful wrappers, according to doctor John Paul Ner of EAMC.

“The sale of watusi, which is wrapped in colorful foil, has been banned because children think it’s candy and start eating it,” Ner said.

“We hope the luces will also be banned,” he added.

Don’t force vomit

Ner advised parents not to force children to vomit once they accidentally ingest the firecracker, and not to let them eat or drink anything, including water.

“When water mixes with firecracker powder, it causes a reaction similar to burns,” he said.

They can tell the victim to eat six to eight egg whites instead, Ner said.

Drinking raw egg whites is similar to applying petroleum jelly, which protects the skin from getting damaged, he explained.

For firecracker burns, wash the affected area with clean water and wrap it with clean cloth, Ner said. But never use soap. Bringing the victim to the nearest hospital is best, he stressed.

Torres said her son was given egg whites at the Casimiro A. Ynares Memorial Hospital, but they were advised to go to EAMC because it lacked facilities.

The boy remains in the hospital because he is under observation for 24 to 96 hours, or from one to five days.

“Those who ingest powder may not feel anything wrong in three days,” Ner said.

Firecracker injuries

If Mabini’s laboratory results are OK, he can be discharged Wednesday and celebrate New Year at home.

Mabini is one of nine patients who were treated at EAMC for firecracker-related injuries from Dec. 21 to 30.

The number of firework-related injuries in the hospital was lower this year compared to the same period last year.

But Ner said the busiest time at the EAMC’s Emergency section is early morning of Jan. 1. Last year, they had a total of 88 patients.

“Although the number of cases last year was high, there were no severe injuries. This year, of the nine cases, eight were minor cases, meaning they were sent home,” he said.

But EAMC has prepared for the worst-case scenario.

There will be more than 100 hospital workers at the emergency room from Dec. 31 to January, Ner said.

“Even if we have many patients, we are prepared because EAMC is well-staffed,” he said.