DOH records 88 fireworks-related injuries

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a total of 88 fireworks-related injuries (FWRI), including that of a four-year-old boy who accidentally ingested a watusi.

Three out of every 10 of these cases, or about 35 percent, happened in the National Capital Region.

“The new cases include the first firework ingestion case wherein a four-year-old boy from Calabarzon accidentally swallowed watusi at home,” the DOH said in its latest FWRI Report.

It warned that, “watusi is deadly and contains yellow phosphorus, potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate, and trinitrotoluene.

“Children often mistake them for candy due to their size and color. Ingestion will lead to death. Bring the patient to the emergency room as soon as possible. Do not buy or allow any watusi to be at your home.”

Should the watusi or a portion of it is swallowed, the DOH said vomiting should not be induced.

“Children may be given six to eight raw egg whites. For adults, eight to 12 raw egg whites. Bring the patient immediately to the emergency room of the nearest hospital,” it added.

As the receiving hospital said that the family of the four-year-old victim could not be reached, the health agency appealed to the child’s parents or family to return to the hospital so the patient can be given proper medical attention.

As to the number of FWRI cases, the NCR is followed in rank by Central Luzon (11 cases, 12 percent), Ilocos region (10, 11 percent) and Bicol, Davao region and Soccsksargen with five cases each or six percent of the total.

Meanwhile, the environmental watchdog BAN Toxics has called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units (LGUs) to address the rampant sale of prohibited and hazardous firecrackers.

Thony Dizon, BAN Toxics campaigner, claimed that their members, while on a market monitoring as part of the “Iwas Paputok” campaign last Dec. 26, documented and bought various illegal firecrackers from ambulant vendors in Divisoria, Manila.

Among the prohibited firecrackers that the BAN Toxics members purchased “discreetly” from ambulant stores were atomic, piccolo in various sizes, special pla-pla packs of 10, whistle bombs, bawang, five-star, and