DOH warns vs picking up unexploded fireworks after New Year revelry

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reminded the public, particularly children, not to pick up fireworks that did not explode or fully ignite during the celebration of New Year.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, DOH Undersecretary Eric Tayag said all fireworks used during the revelry should be splashed with water before disposal and be kept away from children.

“Ang mga bata po ay malamang sa hindi ay pumupunta ‘yan sa labas ng bahay at baka mamulot [ng paputok]. ‘Yan ang paguugatan ng mga aksidente. Sana hindi mangyari at sana nagabayan ng mga magulang ‘yung mga bata sa kanilang paglabas na ‘wag nang mamulot ng mga inaakala nilang hindi pa nagsinding mga paputok,” he said. 

(Some children may go outside the house and pick up fireworks. That will cause accidents. I hope it doesn't happen and I hope the parents have guided their children not to pick up fireworks they think did not explode.) 

On Sunday, New Year’s Eve, DOH logged an additional eight cases of fireworks-related injuries, bringing the total number of victims this holiday season to 115.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/892708/doh-reports-8-injured-by-fireworks-on-new-year-s-eve-total-now-115/story/ 

This new batch included the amputation case of a 4-year-old boy from Central Luzon who lost all five fingers on his right hand due to an illegal firework called “Dart Bomb” which he lit at home.

The DOH said the child’s neck was also injured due to the illegal firework.

Tayag said the agency is hoping that the total number of fireworks-related injuries this holiday season would not exceed the recorded tally last year which was at 307.  —KBK, GMA Integrated News