LET US support and help the Department of Health’s (DOH) firecracker injury prevention program. How? Simple. By turning away from the dangerous and polluting tradition of setting off firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate the holidays season, and particularly when welcoming the New Year roughly two weeks from now.
Let us remind ourselves of the negative effects of firecrackers and fireworks to human health and ecosystems, and resolve to promote and use alternative ways of merrymaking. The misuse of firecrackers and fireworks can cause blast injuries or burns that may require amputation, eye damage that may lead to blindness, tetanus, poisoning and even death with children as the most affected.
While the number of injuries has been declining through the years, we still need to work harder to protect all children from being harmed by firecrackers and fireworks. According to DOH, firecracker-related incidents declined by 34 percent with 340 cases in 2018 compared to 550 cases monitored in 2017, with the National Capital Region having the highest number of recorded incidents. Most of the victims were youth aged five to 14 years with most of the injuries caused by piccolo, boga, luces, kwitis and triangulo.
The inhalation of the toxic air pollutants released from the detonation of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices can cause chronic or allergic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, laryngitis, pneumonia, rhinitis, and sinusitis, especially among children and others suffering from colds and allergies. Among these toxic air emissions are suspended particulate matters and other gaseous pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur dioxide.
The warlike bursting of firecrackers and fireworks also pollute our environment with toxic smog that can trigger or worsen respiratory and other health disorders, while generating equally toxic litter that only adds to our garbage woes.
Yuletide fun is not in any way reduced by the absence of firecrackers and fireworks. Use emission-free alternative noisemakers, including pots and pans, improvised maracas and tambourines, paper and plastic horns, and other creative noisemakers.
Remember: It is better to be safe than get harmed by piccolo, rockets, sparklers and other pyrotechnic devices, legal or not.
