SAFE CELEBRATION. The anti-fireworks injury campaign materials of the Department of Health (DOH). The DOH has already recorded four fireworks-related injuries in Eastern Visayas during its week-long monitoring of holiday revelry blast incidents. (Photo courtesy of DOH)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) has already recorded four fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) in Eastern Visayas, including three young boys, during its week-long monitoring of holiday revelry blast incidents.
The victims are an eight-year-old male from Palo, Leyte; a six-year-old male from Taft, Eastern Samar; and a 24-year-old male from Borongan City in Eastern Samar. The three suffered head and eye injuries from igniting a "lantaka,” or portable cannon.
“Lantaka” is commonly used during Christmas and New Year's Day celebrations as noisemakers.
The fourth victim is an 11-year-old male from Paranas, Samar, who got a hand injury for igniting a 5-star, one of the firecrackers banned by the government.
“To celebrate a safe and healthy holiday season, we continue to encourage the public to practice and follow healthy habits such as ‘Iwas Paputok,’ ‘Healthy Handaan’, and ‘Healthy Celebration’," DOH Regional Information Officer Jelyn Lopez-Malibago said.
The DOH official also urged the public to find alternative ways to make loud noises, such as the use of trumpet, horn, music, and cans. (PNA)
