PHO warns the public of the effects of firecrackers
San Jose, Antique –The Provincial Health Office issued a warning to the public on the ill effects of fire crackers that aside from being burnt, injured or disabled it can also pose serious respiratory problem like asthma and other complications if excessive smoke from firecrackers are inhaled.
The Department of Health strongly advised parents not to allow children to use firecrackers or fireworks.
Secretary Duque said these devices are not toys and are very dangerous, especially in the hands of innocent children. We recommend a ban on the use of these devices in residential areas and encouraged local authorities to designate an area where fireworks could be lighted, displayed and handled by professionals or those who are trained in using explosive devices, he added.
Zoilo Bernardo Tubianosa, Provincial Health Officer noted that Western Visayas has the second highest recorded firecracker injuries in 2008 and 2009. These injuries are not accidents, he said and could have been prevented if people followed the precautionary measures given by health authorities.
Top five firecrackers that caused the most injuries in 2008 were piccolo, kwitis, 5 star, luces and home-made or altered firecrackers. “Piccolo an illegal firecracker continued to be the number one cause of injury during the last holiday season and it did not cause minor injuries but also severe ones like the ruptured eyeball of a boy in Bicol,” disclosed Secretary Duque.
The public should always be cautious and not to regard the legal fireworks as safe because kwitis and luces both legal firecrackers were number 2 and 4 on the list.
DOH record showed that Watusi, long considered illegal, continued to sneak in the market and caused two cases of injuries this year.
Meanwhile PHO Tubianosa enjoined local officials to help in the realization of “Oplan Iwas Paputok” to avoid injuries and other related illnesses brought about by firecrackers and fireworks (PS Mabaquiao/PIA)
