How to treat fireworks-related burns and injuries

MANILA, Philippines - The holiday season can only be merry when it is safe and accident-free. 

However, despite Department of Health's continuous campaign to keep firecrackers out of the New Year's revelry, 81 firecracker-related injuries has already been reported in the past two days.

Some people get caught in the celebratory season and eventually fail to notice the dangers of firecrackers.

Here are three simple first-aid tips to treat injuries caused by firecrackers.

1. Wash the injured part of the body with clean water.
2. Wrap the wound using clean cloth and bring the victim to the hospital immediately.
3. For big wounds, use alkaline soap to clean the wound. Do not apply toothpaste, butter, ice or a slice of tomato to the wound or burn.

Below are other tips from Professional First Aid and CPR Courses, for specific wounds/injuries:

Injured fingers

1. Run the fingers on cool water if the fingers are still intact. 
2. If the fingers are amputated, wash the amputated finger with clean cool water, wrap it in a cloth and place it in a clean plastic bag with ice.
3. Bring the patient to the emergency department of the hospital.

Eye injuries

1. Flush the eye with cool water. Do not use ice.
2. Do not touch or scratch the affected eye.
3. Using a clean cloth, cover the affected eye.
4. Bring the patient to the emergency department of the hospital.

In addition to these tips, Dr. Willie Ong also recommended in his previous article to have your own emergency kit. According to him, your kit should comprise of the following: Sterile dressings and gauze pads, bandages, alcohol, cotton buds, bandaids, soap, ice bag, tweezers, thermometer, gloves, face masks, tapes, scissors, emergency phone numbers.