Oplan iwas paputok; Fireworks display ang patok

Contributed by Michael Angelo G. Baluyot, PHO-Bataan

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Now that the holiday season is on, the threat of firecracker related injuries follows.

As mandated by the Department of Health, local health units are to monitor every injury noted during the season. Last year a total of 49 firecracker related injuries were monitored by the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) from December 21, 2016 to January 5, 2017.

This number of cases is 34% lower compared to the same period last year. Ages of victims range from 2 months to 73 years old. Majority (88%) were males.

The area with the most number of cases is Bagac with 13 cases (27%) followed by Mariveles with 8 cases (16%), Balanga City with 7 cases (14%), Dinalupihan, Morong and Orion with 4 (8%), Samal with 3 cases (6%), Pilar with 2 cases (4%) and Hermosa, Orani, Limay and Abucay with 1 case each (2%). Majority of the cases suffered from blast/burn injuries. No amputated case was documented.

The most common firecracker used was Piccolo (45%) followed by Lucis (14%), Kwitis and Fivestar (6%). Majority of the cases had active involvement in using/lighting the firecracker that caused the injury. No reported case of watusi and other type of firecracker ingestion and no case of stray bullet injury was reported.

This year’s theme is “Oplan iwas paputok; Fireworks display ang patok”. The Department of Health strongly recommends community fireworks display, street parties and other alternatives that can make the celebration loud and lively. The public is also discouraged from using illegal firecrackers as stated in the recent Executive Order No. 28 “Providing for the Regulation and Control of the Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices”. Disease reporting units and hospitals both public and private are on heightened alert from December 21 to January 5 for reporting and management of injuries related to firecrackers. If such cases were noted please

refer them to the nearest health facility/hospital.

It’s better to start the New Year with a smile rather than with a missing limb or body part – A friendly reminder from the Bataan Provincial Health Office.