Firecrackers injuries in the Philippines is common despite the facts that the Philippine Government were doing some scare campaign. The Department of Health had already reported a total of 454 injuries caused by firecrackers while there reported 18 from stray bullets.
The reported firecrackers injuries were slightly lower compared to the last year’s figures but it is still alarming according to the Department of Health, the government agencies in-charged of monitoring the firecrackers injuries.
Airport authorities had reported also with firecracker problems in which there were flights diverted due to the invisibility of the airport caused by the dark smog from Metro Manila dwellers who were using firecrackers as part of the new year celebrations.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona stated that injured revelers were mostly children which filled hospital’s emergency rooms after midnight. The Health Secretary stated that “Again, it seems our appeal to mothers to keep their children away from firecrackers wasn’t effective.” Secretary Ona stated.
The Health Department of the Philippines discouraged the use of firecrackers during the New Years celebration. Showing of gory pictures of injuries, including hands mangled by firecracker blasts were even used by the authorities as a scare tactics.
Meanwhile Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo said that 65 people were arrested for using illegally large firecrackers.
Filipinos were influenced by the Chinese residents that using of firecrackers will drive away evil and misfortune. It became a Filipino tradition already that could not not easily be forgotten.
Injuries caused by firecrackers is one of the major problems encountered in the Philippines for the past few years and this kind of tradition should not be followed in order for us to have a joyous and pleasant new year.
