The Department of Health is campaigning against the use of firecracker and pyrotechnic devices in Negros Occidental because annually it has the highest number of holiday injuries in Western Visayas.
The DOH 6 held a Fireworks Injury Awareness Campaign, also known as the Iwas Paputok Campaign, at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Tuesday, December 20, to remind the public to refrain from the use of firecrackers during the holidays, and especially in ushering in the New Year.
The public is urged to resort to alternative modes of creating noise, which should not include the previously advocated “torotot”, a horn-shaped plastic toy trumpet, Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, Health Support Division OIC of the Department of Health 6, said.
The use of the “torotot” is now being discourage because it causes the spread of saliva, she said. This could in turn trigger the spread of COVID-19, Sta. Lucia added.
The DOH is urging the use of musical instruments, videokes, cooking utensils and coins as alternative noise makers to avoid injuries, she said.
She said from December 21, 2021 to January 6, 2022 records show that Negros Occidental recorded 50 firecracker related injuries, Iloilo province – 29, Aklan -16, Capiz – 15, Bacolod City – 10, Antique – 5, Iloilo City – 4 and Guimaras -1.
The majority of firecracker injuries were to the fingers – blast burns with and without amputation, to the eyes and head, she said.
The group with the most injuries were those aged from 11 to 20 years old followed by one to ten year olds, she added.
That is why the DOH advocates the need for adult supervision, she said.
Among the reasons why Negros Occidental and Iloilo province may have more injuries is because they have areas where firecrackers and pyrotechnics are manufactured making access to them easier, Sta. Lucia said.
ON FOOD
She also stressed the need not to eat in excess during the holidays, and to balance off food such as lechon with fruits and vegetables.
Sta. Lucia also stressed the need for proper sanitation to avoid food poisoning and the spread of COVID-19.*