DOH: Firecracker-related injuries soar as Dec. 31 nears

The number of firecracker-related injuries nationwide rose to 95 yesterday even as a 33-year-old man from Meycauayan, Bulacan died yesterday after intentionally eating watusi or dancing firecrackers, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

The victim died while undergoing treatment at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC) in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

"We can never know (why he ingested watusi). We don’t know if it was a suicide. Maybe he was trying to show off or he was curious, we don’t know. But it was intentional," Dr. Eric Tayag, head of the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center (NEC), told The STAR.

The victim was the second to die from firecracker-related causes since Dec. 21.

The DOH has been warning against using watusi to welcome in the New Year because it contains yellow phosphorous, a highly toxic chemical.

In a report prepared by the NEC, the DOH said six cases of watusi poisoning have been recorded over the past nine days.

A total of 95 people, on the other hand, have been injured by exploding firecrackers while eight others were hit by stray bullets this holiday season.

The DOH said the number is still low compared to the same period last year when a total of 158 cases were reported.

None of the stray bullet victims died.

The report showed that 48 of the firecracker-related injuries came from Metro Manila. Fourteen had to undergo amputation while 23 others suffered eye injuries.

According to Dr. Ernie de Vera, program manager of the DOH’s four-pronged "Four-mula Kontra Paputok 2005," firecrackers sold this year seem to be more powerful and, therefore, more dangerous.

"It seems that firecrackers are bigger this year and have stronger blasting capacity. So we urge the public to do away with firecrackers in celebrating the New Year," he said in an interview.

De Vera said the DOH has employed four strategies to lessen injuries and prevent deaths from firecrackers, stray bullets and watusi poisoning.

The first strategy is to encourage the public to use other noise-making devices like horns, tin cans and pans to welcome 2006.

"And in case of an injury, they should clean the wound using clean water and soap. After that, they should see a doctor for proper treatment," De Vera said.

The DOH also discouraged people from picking up firecrackers that did not explode because they might still be lit.

De Vera said the DOH is also strongly advising against firing guns to usher in the New Year. This practice has resulted in many Filipino deaths due to stray bullets.

"We are against tradition. It takes time to stop the people from using firecrackers because we’ve been doing it for a long time now.

But we hope that we can start with the children and we need the support of the parents on this," he added.