Firecracker injuries drop in Central Visayas

CEBU CITY—The number of firecracker-related injuries in Central Visayas dropped last year and the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas is hoping that figures will decline even more this year through its “Iwas Paputok” campaign.

DOH said firecracker-related injuries recorded in 2017 were 16.6 percent lower than in 2016.

“It was the result of our intensified campaign against the use of firecrackers. We extensively reminded the public of the dangers of using firecrackers,” said Dr. Shelbay Blanco, head of the regional DOH’s Health Emergency Management System.

Blanco said DOH started its Iwas Paputok drive campaign hoping that the public will stop using firecrackers during Christmas and New Year’s revelries.

One way of preventing such injuries is by putting up designated areas where people can light firecrackers, said Blanco.

“As usual, we will tie up with the Department of Education for our information campaign with regards the use of firecrackers,” he said.

According to the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, there were 53 firecracker-related injuries in 2017 compared to the 61 in 2016.

Most of the cases were recorded in Cebu province with 34 in 2017 and 37 in 2016.

Most of the victims were children aged 10 to 14.

DOH revealed that among the common firecrackers used were piccolo, candy bomb, flare, fountain, kwitis, sky rocket, triangle, whistle bomb, while joke and judas belt. (Calvin D. Cordova)