MANILA, Philippines – Three days before New Year’s Eve, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 145 new fireworks-related injuries, mostly caused by the banned firecracker piccolo.
The firecracker, caused 70 of the injuries. Fifteen were injured by kwitis, and 13 by “Five Star.”
The ages of the victims ranged from one to 55. Thirteen suffered amputations, while 24 sustained eye injuries. Ninety-six consciously handled firecrackers, while 23 were intoxicated.
DOH also monitored one case of poisoning from “pop-out,” a firecracker that goes off when it hits a hard surface.
Most of the 155 incidents recorded from Dec. 21 to 27 happened in Metro Manila.
As the New Year revelry nears with more injuries and emergencies to come, the Philippine National Police (PNP) confiscated 168,745 illegal pyrotechnic products nationwide in police operations that started Dec. 16.
The public is encouraged to report through PNP Text 2920 individuals in possession of illegal firecrackers.
Private citizens may also text the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at 0917-847-5757 for information on traders selling firecrackers without license from DTI and PNP.
The customary use of firecrackers to celebrate the coming of the new year was borrowed from the Chinese who believe the noise drives away evil spirits.
Ironically, the Chinese government is considering a ban on the use of firecrackers to reduce air pollution, especially in the city of Beijing.
The Philippine government has a law regulating the manufacture, sale and use of fireworks, one provision of which is the designation of pyrotechnics zones.
Under the law, common types of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, which may be manufactured, sold, and used, include baby rocket, bawang, small triangulo, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, watusi,?Judas’ belt, sky rocket or kwitis, luces, special roman candle, and trompillo, fountain, whistle, and butterfly.
The law bans the manufacture, sale, and use of big triangle, super lolo, mother rocket, five-star, pla pla, and bin laden.