ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) is encouraging the public to avoid using firecrackers during Christmas and New Year celebrations to prevent injuries.
It is lobbying local government units (LGUs) across the province to instead organize community fireworks displays.
These displays would gather people together and discourage them from buying and setting off firecrackers at their homes, said Maria Consolacion Ebrada, IPHO nurse during the fourth regular council meeting of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
Ebrada said people could use safer alternatives to celebrate, and community fireworks displays can give them the opportunity to enjoy from a safe distance.
However, she stressed that any community fireworks display should be supervised, with the presence of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and medical teams.
Ebrada also reminded everyone, particularly parents, to ensure children do not pick up unexploded firecrackers to avoid injuries.
Oone common cause of firecracker and fireworks-related injuries is children picking up unexploded firecrackers, she said.
Ebrada advised against picking up unexploded fireworks by hand, suggesting that they should be carefully transferred using a broom and dustpan, then disposed of in a plastic bottle or submerged in water for at least 15 minutes.
She also emphasized the importance of being aware of emergency hotlines and the hotlines of the BFP and PNP so that, in case of an emergency, people can quickly contact the proper authorities.
Additionally, Ebrada advised anyone injured by firecrackers to immediately seek healthcare to manage the wound and prevent complications like tetanus.
She also urged LGUs and the public to continue observing minimum public health standards, as COVID-19 remains a concern, and there is an increase in cases with flu-like symptoms.
Ebrada highlighted the importance of maintaining minimum public health standards, good hygiene, handwashing, social distancing, and good ventilation in closed spaces to prevent the spread of diseases.
Too, she encouraged LGUs to ensure the strict implementation of municipal ordinances regarding the regulation of firecrackers and fireworks during the holiday season.
Here are the types firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices that are allowed:
For firecrackers
* Baby rocket, bawang, small trianggulo, pulling of strings, paper caps, El diablo, Juda’s Best and sky rocket (Kwitis)
For pyrotechnics devices
* Sparklers, luces, fountain, jumbo regular and special, mabuhay, roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, and butterfly
Prohibited types of firecrackers and pyrotechnics
* Watusi, piccolo, mother rockers, pillbox, boga, big juda’s belt, big bawang, kwiton, and goodbye Philippines.
* atomic bomb, five star, pla-pla, Og, Giant Whistle Bomb, super lolo and atomic big triangulo, lolo thunder, kabasi and unlabeled firecracker.
Fireworks safety tips
* Never allow young children to handle fireworks
* Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
* Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
* Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
* Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
* Never light them indoors
* Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
* Never point or throw fireworks at another person
* Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
* Never lights devices in a container
* Soak both spend and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
* Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
* Never use illegal fireworks
Disposal of unfired fireworks
Any fireworks that remain unfired after the display is concluded shall be immediately disposed properly.
Fireworks and pyrotechnic shall be fired in accordance with RA 9514 (Fire Code of the Philippines) and its implementing rules and regulations.
Package of unfired fireworks and pyrotechnic shall be returned to the supplier in compliance with all applicable regulations./PN
