DOH urges public to find safer ways to usher in 2023
Blast or burns without amputation, eye injury that might lead to blindness, tetanus, poisoning (ingestion), and death are the direct health effects of the misuse of fireworks or firecrackers according to the Department of Health (DOH).
to avoid these firework-related injuries or even death, DOH officer-incharge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire encouraged the public to find harmless, family-friendly ways to welcome 2023.
Families, Vergeire said, can alternatively utilize loud noises from other sources such as loud speakers, horns, percussion instruments, pans and pots among many others for a safer and more joyous holiday celebration.
Hospitals ready
Meanwhile, the DOH said that hospitals are ready to accommodate victims of firecrackers.
“Our hospitals are well prepared for this. we have robust surveillance system for our fireworks injuries,” she said.
Vergeire said that the DOH officials will inspect hospitals to check on their preparations to attend to firework-related injuries or any form of emergency.
today, the DOH will visit four hospitals starting with the las Pinas trauma Center, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center, east avenue Medical Center, and amang Rodriguez Medical Center for the “iwas paputok” campaign.
On December 31, Field implementation and Coordination team officials will be visiting communities in luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to ensure that families are celebrating the coming of 2023 safely.
the DOH, through the “iwas Paputok Campaign,” has always advocated for the practice of a safe and joyful new Year by practicing the safe observance of the holidays by avoiding fireworks/paputok and promoting alternative means of celebrating the new Year.
“Families and individuals are strongly encouraged to avoid purchasing and using fireworks this holiday season and instead observe fireworks displays from afar or ones that are professionally prepared and organized,” Vergeire said.
Reduce firework related injuries
the DOH likewise called upon the local government units and the private sector to join and support the campaign to help reduce the number of firework related injuries and casualties. “through this mobilization, our partners can help in promoting alternative and safer ways of celebrating the holiday season.”
the DOH assured that they will be proactively monitoring and conducting surveillance activities of the situation on the ground and “in our hospitals to ensure that our health facilities are supported in any way or form in combating physical injuries, diseases, Covid-19, and any form of health emergency.”
Finally, on the first day of the new year, the DOH will be hosting a postnew Year Media Forum and will make the rounds of hospitals in Baguio City and the surrounding areas to assess the overall situation after the new Year celebrations in light of the iwas Paputok campaign.
as of December 27, the total number of firework-related injuries is 25. these injuries were reported from December 21 to December 27.
“last year at this same time period, we had 22 cases. so our cases right now are 14 percent higher than that of last year,” Vergeire said in a press briefing.