CEBU CITY -- The Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-7) on Tuesday, Dec. 13, launched the ‘Oplan Iwas Paputok’ campaign.
The DOH-7 reminded the public to take extra care as it aims for a ‘zero firecracker-related incidents’ during the Christmas and New Year revelry.
In a press briefing, Dr. Jaime Bernadas, regional director of DOH-7, said the agency is anticipating an increase of firecracker-related incidents as people will return to the pre-pandemic way of celebrating the holidays.
“People may no longer be familiar with how to use firecrackers because the past two years, we didn’t use them. That’s why we really have to take care to avoid injuries,” said Bernadas.
Dr. Eugenia Mercedes Canal, regional epidemiologist of DOH-7, said there were 24 firecrackers-related injuries in 2021.
Most of the victims were those who lit firecrackers, said Canal.
DOH-7 identified flying tiger, kwitis, lantaka, hotdog, and triangle as the top five firecrackers that caused injuries last year.
With the danger posed by firecrackers, Bernadas urged the public to find alternative ways of making noise to meet the New Year.
“Our belief is we should make noise during the New Year but let’s just honk the horns of our vehicles or for the kids they can use drums,” said Bernadas. “That’s better alternative instead of lighting firecrackers.”