BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) Cordillera reiterates its call for a safe celebration of the Yuletide season and the New Year revelry avoiding firecrackers.
This year’s anti-firecracker campaign carries the theme, “Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok! Makiisa Fireworks Display sa inyong Lugar”.
Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, DOH CAR assistant regional director, said they are continuously reminding the public especially the children and parents not to use any kind of firecracker to avoid injuries.
Instead of firecrackers, Pangilinan said, the public is encouraged to use safe merry-making instruments and alternative noise -makers such as ‘torotot’, car horns, or by playing loud music. Local government units are also urged to foster com munity firework display.
Records from DOH Cordillera show that there were 63 firecracker and fireworks related injuries in 2015 all over the region. Abra had the highest with 25, Apayao with 14, Baguio City with 11, Benguet with 9, Kalinga with 2, and Mountain Province and Abra with 1 each.
The youngest patient was 3 years old and the oldest was 59 years old. Most of the victims were males. Most injuries were caused by piccolo.
In case of an injury due to firecrackers, Pangilinan reminded that the wounds must be immediately washed with clean running water until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue is removed. The patient must immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention to prevent permanent injuries and disability and deaths due to Tetanus.
Pangilinan assured that all DOH hospitals are prepared to attend to injuries related to fireworks./JDP/JBZ- PIA CAR#