Monday, January 10, 2011

Kalinga PHO reports 8 firecracker victims

TABUK, Kalinga, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported eight victims from firecracker during the Christmas and new year revelries..

Records at the PHO showed that four ases came from Tabuk, two in Rizal; and one each in Pinukpuk and Balbalan. All suffered blasted and lacerated fingers with one patient in Rizal to possibly loss three fingers from severe blasted wounds.

According to the PHO report, most of the injuries this year originated from "piccolo" type of firecrackers, despite the tight monitoring and inspection conducted by the police on the sale of illegal firecrackers, here.

"Picollo" is among the types prohibited for sale because of its high explosive power that could cause serious injuries. Police sources claimed the source may have sneaked the supply to Tabuk.

Department of Health Sec. Ona issued the White Alert status to all government hospitals in the country for the period December 21-January 5 to keep watch on firecracker victims.

The first firecracker injury in Kalinga was a 10 year old boy who was treated for superficial burns last December 27.

There was no reported case from tetanus since all of the patients were immediately provided proper treatment as soon as they arrived at the hospitals.

Kalinga Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Officer (PESO) Jose Pardito Jr. said that as part of the yearly campaign to prevent injuries and losses to property and life, the Department of Health had launched the Oplan Iwas Paputok campaign for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

This campaign he said encourages the public to be aware of the hazards like burns, tetanus infection, blindness loss of limbs and lives due to pyrotechnics accidents to also ensure that no property is destroyed during the holidays.

Parents and guardians he said play a vital role in the observance of this campaign since they are the ones directly involved in looking after the welfare of their children.

As part of the massive campaign, the Bureau of Fire Protection Kalinga have also conducted their own information education campaign to prevent fire during the holidays discouraging the use of fire crackers, fireworks and gunfire since these could ignite fire.

On the eve before New Year, fire trucks were also used as they went around the capital town reminding the public to take the necessary measures to avoid disaster. (PIA Kalinga)

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