MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Health (DOH) remind the public to avoid firecracker disasters in welcoming the new year.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that they want to reduce the number of firecracker victims this year.
Last year, there were 463 recorded firecracker-related injuries, which was 164 lower than 627 cases in 2016.
“Mag-iingat lang. Ang common kasi yung puputok habang hawak pa or kinabukasan nagkaka-injuries din tayo kasi ang mga bata naman ay mamumulot, titingnan kung alin yung mga hindi pumutok tapos tsaka sila masasabugan. Kung sinindihan natin at ‘di sya sumabog hayaan na natin at wag na natin siyang balikan,” said Domingo.
Piccolo topped the list of the main causes of firecracker injury followed by kwitis and other unidentified firecrackers.
Manila had the highest number of firecracker-related injuries with 116 cases or 47% while Quezon City had 30 or 12%.
Eighteen (18) cases were hand fractures; 80 were eye injuries; and 377 were firecracker burns.
Authorities remind that the banned firecrackers include Watusi, Piccolo, and over sized and loud firecrackers such as Super Lolo, Goodbye Philippines, Giant Whistle Bomb and others.
“We are intensifying our intelligence efforts para as much as possible ay hindi lang yung streets and also the source. Hindi mo kailangang gumawa ng paputok para hulihin ka by mere possession of those phosphorous item are already prohibited and punishable by law,” said PNP FEO Director PCSupt. Val De Leon.
De Leon said that if the public cannot be stopped on firecracker use, authorities recommend the use of approved firecrackers in designated firecracker zones in every barangays. — Marje Pelayo (with reports from Bernard Dadis)
The post Piccolo tops list of dangerous firecrackers, causes of injuries appeared first on UNTV News.