Early data from government hospitals revealed that 31 holiday revelers have already lost limbs from firecracker injuries, which shot up by seven percent from last year's total, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Almost a third of the recorded injuries were suffered by children 10 years old and below, with many incidents involving the illegal and user-friendly Piccolo firecracker. In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde said there were 182 injuries caused by the Piccolo recorded in the days leading up to the New Year. "Piccolo is the most accessible firecracker to children because it's easy to use. It's just like lighting up a matchstick," he said. The DOH has renewed its call for a total ban on firecrackers. Davao City, which has had a ban for years, has drastically reduced holiday injuries. Spike in firecracker injuries At least 546 revelry-related injuries were reported from December 21, 2010 to early morning of January 1, 2011, the DOH said Saturday. Firecracker injuries stood at 518, seven percent higher than the total number of cases reported in the same period last year. There were also 20 reported cases of stray bullet injuries and eight cases of fireworks ingestion or poisoning. Almost a third of the recorded injuries involved children 10 years old and below.
"This is 87 cases (19%) higher than the previous five-year (2005-2009) average or 34 cases (7%) higher than last year. Out of the 17 regions, NCR reported the most (59%) cases," it said. [See DOH record:
Kontra Paputok Surveillance update] At least 20 injuries (4 percent) were due to stray bullets and eight (1 percent) to fireworks ingestion. Of the 518 firecracker-related injuries, 418 victims were male (79 percent), while 301 (58 percent) were active users or directly handled firecrackers. Some 31 (6 percent) needed amputation while 413 (78 percent) did not. Some 84 (16 percent) sustained eye injuries. The DOH also said 291 cases (58 percent) involved illegal fireworks, including 182 cases (35 percent) involving Piccolo. Nearly 15 percent – or 79 cases – involved revelers who were drunk. Some 329 (64 percent) of injuries occurred in the street. One death was reported, a
44-year-old woman from Bulacan province, who died from ingesting explosive powder from several Piccolo firecracker sticks as she committed suicide.
Illegal firecrackers account for more than half of injuries The increase in the number of injuries despite the health department's anti-firecracker efforts was attributed to the continued proliferation of prohibited firecrackers, which accounted for more than half of the injuries.
Other firecrackers that caused the most injuries were Kwitis (74 cases), Pla-Pla (32 cases), 5-Star (18 cases) and Baby Rocket (15 cases). Both Pla-Pla and 5-Star are banned firecrackers. The health department also noted the increase in the number of injuries involving active users under the influence of alcohol (79 cases). Despite the increase in the number of cases, Dr. Eric Tayag said the effects of their Kontra Paputok campaign are evident. He said, for example, that the number of injuries due to Piccolo dropped from 42 percent last year to 35 percent this year. "
Makikita mo naman sa datos yung epekto nung pagiging aware ng mga tao sa panganib ng mga paputok na gaya ng Piccolo (The data will show you the effect of people's awareness regarding the dangers of firecrackers like Piccolo)," Tayag said.
Villaverde added that the current total number of cases is an increase compared to last year's total, but the DOH will continue to receive reports from its sentinel hospitals until January 5, so he said it still cannot be deduced if the overall total is higher or lower compared to cases reported last year. "
If up to January 5 halos wala nang mag-report, there is a probability na mas mababa pa ngayon (If very few cases are reported until January 5, there is a probability that the number of injuries are lesser this year)," he said. Tayag added that there may be cases that remain unreported because the victims have not submitted themselves for treatment in hospitals. He urged these patients to seek medical attention immediately to prevent tetanus, an often fatal result of wounds caused by firecrackers.
Stray-bullet injuries down There were 20 cases of stray bullet injuries reported nationwide, but the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they are still trying to determine if all the cases are indeed caused by stray bullets.
General Nicanor Bartolome, Director of the PNP NCRPO, said that out of the seven initial reports of stray bullet injuries in Metro Manila, three were found out to be self-inflicted. "We will try to investigate further if all of these 20 incidents are indeed caused by stray bullets," he said, adding that the PNP is now working to identify where these stray bullets were fired and who fired them. Bartolome added that the stray bullet cases this year is a big improvement from the past years' more than 30 recorded stray bullet injuries nationwide. The PNP also said that a point for improvement next year is a more intensified monitoring of the manufacture and sale of illegal firecrackers. Bartolome said that the store raids helped, but stopping the manufacturing would be the best first step. "If the [illegal firecrackers] are already in the streets, it's difficult [to stop the proliferation of illegal firecrackers]. Siguro sa pag-manufacture natin umpisahan ito (Maybe it's best to start with the manufacture)," he said.
Total ban on firecrackers 'is the only way' Villaverde said that a total ban on firecrackers is the only way to really bring down firecrackers-related injuries during the New Year celebrations. "If we want a zero percent casualty, there should be a total ban on the use of firecrackers and prohibition in the use of guns and other ammunition," he said. In an earlier interview, Health Secretary Dr. Enrique Ona said the DOH has always wanted to push for a total firecrackers ban but the plan does not seem doable for now. "It all depends on the political will at the local level and the participation of the community," Villaverde said. "But of course we are aware that [lighting firecrackers] has been a tradition in the Philippines, so it will take time before this becomes a reality." While a total nationwide ban has not yet been enacted into law, the DOH continues to campaign for safer alternatives for holiday revelry. Every year, the DOH pushes for alternative noisemakers like horns, bells, and other safe toys. This year, the DOH also worked with local government units to designate "firecracker zones" where the use of firecrackers will be contained. The DOH also encouraged the public to instead watch aerial fireworks shows. As of January 1, there have been no reported injuries related to fireworks displays.
— LBG/TJD/HS, GMANews.TV 
GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
