Fewer firecracker injuries this year

CEBU, Philippines - The number of firecracker-related injuries in Central Visayas is lower by a fourth of last year’s total number of incidents.

A death, however, has been reported this year, after a one-year-old boy died in Dumaguete.

As reported by Silliman University Medical Cebu, the boy died of cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to blunt chest trauma, wound in the right arm, lacerated wound in the right thigh.

As monitored by the Department of Health-7 Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS), 74 suffered injuries caused by firecrackers as of January 2, 2014. The figure is 25.25 percent lower than last year’s 99 incidents.

DOH monitors injuries related to fireworks in celebration of Christmas and New Year through its Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction program.

HEMS said that on the average, the victims were 13 years old and male. For this year, six percent of the victims were under the influence of alcohol.

The firecrackers commonly used were Hotdog, Judas Belt, Whistle Bomb, Pop Up, Canister, Araw, Piccolo, Kwitis, Fountain, Thunder, Yolanda. Two incidents of stray bullets were also reported in Cebu City.

According to the HEMS report, the victims were from Cebu City with 26; LapuLapu City, 12; Mandaue City, nine; Minglanilla, five; Talisay City, three; Liloan, two; Bantayan, two; Naga City, two; Pamplona, two; Consolacion, two; Dumaguete City, two; Bacong, one; Compostela, one; San Fernando, one; Sibulan, one; Tagbilaran City, one.

In Cebu, 10 of those injured required amputation, while 15 suffered eye injuries.

Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas, Police Regional Office–7 director, attributed the decrease in the number of firecracker-related incidents to the Philippine National Police’s relentless patrolling and confiscation of illegally-manufactured firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

“Thank you for the unrelenting support and dedication to duty,” he said, addressing his men during the simultaneous removal of the tape on the muzzles of the policemen’s guns at the Cebu City Police Office yesterday morning. 

Bañas also quoted Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, Philippine National Police officer-in-charge, who said that the policemen have largely contributed to the reduction in firecracker-related incidents this Christmas and New Year.

Espina earlier sent a memorandum to all police units that imported firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices found in the market are deemed illegally manufactured and should be confiscated.

This is in accordance with Section 5, Rule 15 of Republic Act 7183, which prohibits the importation of finished firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

Bañas also acknowledged the cooperation of the community and local government units in helping the PNP in its information drive.

He said that concerted efforts of the police force and the public have yielded positive results, adding that New Year in Central Visayas has been generally peaceful.

Those injured by firecrackers during the New Year in Cebu Province include Dean Christian Lastimosa, 12, of Sitio Sangi, Minglanilla town, who was confined at the South General Hospital after a “Roman Candle” exploded while he was lighting it, severely injuring his hand.

In a separate incident, an allegedly intoxicated Jecmar Dayangco, 31, was confined at the Vicente Sotto Medical Hospital after a firecracker exploded in his hand.

The police said Rogelio Cabellon, 54, of Talisay City was also under the influence of liquor when he lighted a Whistle Bomb that exploded in his left hand.—/RHM (FREEMAN)