By Brian Jules Campued
Filipinos have always had a number of traditional ways to celebrate the upcoming year – serving 12 round fruits during “Media Noche” or the midnight feast, wearing polka dots and scattering coins around their homes to encourage prosperity, leaving doors and windows open to welcome good luck, jumping at midnight to help children grow taller and of course, using fireworks to ward off evil spirits.
Mangled fingers and limbs, burns, difficulty breathing, blindness and hearing damage, tetanus infection, poisoning due to accidental ingestion, and fatal risks to both humans and animals – firecrackers, while they elevate our New Year festivities, pose great danger to those who mishandle it.
Here are some ways and alternatives to welcome and enjoy the upcoming year sans untoward incidents.
‘Paputok’ Alternatives
As fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) continue to rise ahead of New Year celebrations, the Department of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other concerned government agencies urges the public to ditch firecrackers and instead opt for harmless noisemakers to ring in the coming 2024.
Residents may use some “paputok alternatives” which can still bring the same merriment as firecrackers including banging of pots and cans, honking of vehicle horns, playing loud speakers and karaoke, or using light sticks.
The DOH also encourages the citizens to instead watch the community fireworks displays held by experts to protect themselves from undue harm that firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices may cause.
Even the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) urged their fellow local government units to continue implementing the Executive Order 28 Series of 2017, which was issued during the Duterte administration, limiting firecrackers use to community displays.
“Let’s promote safe celebrations in our communities for the coming New Year. We’ve done it in the past, so why not continue leading community celebrations where everyone enjoys and risks are minimized,” ULAP president and Quirino province Governor Dax Cua said in a news release.
MMC president and San Juan City Mayor Francisco Zamora said that his fellow Metro Manila mayors also agree to the calls of Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes to designate areas for community fireworks instead of letting the public use firecrackers at home or on the streets.
“Ito po’y minsan nagiging sanhi pa ng aksidente, ng sunog. Posibleng merong masabugan sa mukha, maputulan ng daliri, o ‘di kaya’y mamatay. Ayaw na ayaw naman natin na ito po ang maranasan natin sa ating pagsalubong sa bagong taon, “ Zamora said in a Facebook live last Dec. 28.
Illegal Firecrackers
The PNP Firearms and Explosive Office (PNP FEO) has also released a list of prohibited firecrackers. The police force also continues to crack down on the sellers of these illegal goods to minimize firecracker-related injuries.
“Firecrackers exceeding the legal limit of 0.3 grams of gunpowder and those with improper fuses are strictly prohibited,” the PNP FEO said in a statement.
“Pyrotechnics such as butterfly, fountain, luces, Roman candle, sparkles, trompillo, and others are allowed as long as they comply with safety regulations,” the PNP FEO added.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has been on code red status from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1, 2024 which mandates all personnel to be on heightened alert for possible fire incidents, especially those that fireworks may cause.
BFP spokesperson Fire Supt. Annalee Atienza said that they were intensifying fire truck visibility, inspection of manufacturers and sellers of firecrackers, and information campaigns on highly populated areas around the country to increase public awareness regarding fireworks-related hazards.
‘Oplan Iwas Paputok’
In observance of the Firecrackers Injury Prevention Month this December, there are a number of ways to protect ourselves from the risks of firecrackers:
- Stay away from people who use firecrackers
- Don’t re-ignite fireworks/firecrackers that failed to initially fire up
- Prohibit kids from playing with firecrackers
- Use alternative noisemakers such as torotot, coins, or tambourines
Safety Tips for FWRIs
While people would still set firecrackers off, the government continues to remind everyone to follow the safety tips in the event of injuries caused by firecrackers.
If the firecracker gets into the eyes:
- Wash them with clean running water for at least 15 minutes.
- Cover the eyes with a cloth to prevent further scratching of the corneas.
- Bring the victim to the nearest hospital immediately.
If the skin gets burned/injured:
- Wash the injured part of the body with soap and clean water.
- Take off the contaminated clothes and make sure to wash them before wearing them again.
- Wrap the wound using a clean cloth or sterilized gauze bandage and bring the victim to the hospital immediately.
In case of accidental ingestion:
- Don’t force the victim to vomit.
- Have them drink raw egg whites, six to eight pieces for kids, and eight to 12 for adults.
- Bring the victim to the hospital immediately.
If a person experiences troubled breathing from inhaling firecrackers’ smoke:
- Keep him away from the area and let him smell fresh air.
- Seek immediate medical care.
Pet Safety
Humans are not the only ones affected by the dangerous fireworks, our furry friends also get traumatized by ear-splitting noises since they have a highly developed sense of hearing.
“The loud and unpredictable noises from fireworks can trigger a heightened fight-or-flight response in dogs, manifesting as anxiety, restlessness, and other signs of discomfort,” the DOH said.
As we protect ourselves from potential risks of fireworks, we should also acknowledge the potential distress our animal companions experience. Under the Health department’s “Bawat Buhay Mahalaga” initiative, here are the following measures to safeguard our pet’s mental and physical health during the New Year celebrations:
- Keep pets indoors especially during fireworks displays to minimize exposure to loud noises and toxic fumes.
- Establish a quiet and safe space where they can stay during the revelry.
- Owners may use calming wraps, vests, or shirts, that can alleviate stress in many dogs.
- Owners may also proactively work with their dogs before the fireworks-heavy holidays by gradually exposing them to firework sounds while giving them positive reinforcements like treats.
- Provide identification or ID tags to help identify them and contact their owners if they run off in fear.
- Act as normal and as calm as possible during fireworks to reassure your pets. -avds
