DOH CALLS FOR APIR - AKSYON: PAPUTOK INJURY REDUCTION (GIVE ME FIVE) CAMPAIGN - THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
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PDFPress Release/24 November 2011
The Department of Health (DOH) today officially launched its firework-injury reduction campaign dubbed as “Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction”or APIR (Give me five).
“Our strategy is to be positive. The image we will focus on is the complete set of fingers and this represents our five reminders to prevent injury and five suggestions to keep safe while celebrating the holidays,” Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona explained.
The five reminders to prevent harm and injury are: 1) mapanganib ang paggamit ng paputok (fireworks cause injuries and endanger health); 2) lahat ng paputok ay bawal sa bata (children should not use any fireworks); 3) umiwas sa mga taong nagpapaputok(keep safe and away from exploding fireworks); 4)Huwag mamulot ng mga di sumabog na paputok (never pick used fireworks); and, 5) Magpagamot kaagad kapag naputukan(seek immediate medical treatment for all firework injuries).
Ona added that the Filipino holiday celebration can always be complete and stress-free by following five simple tips. These are: 1) itaguyod at makilahok sa Community Fireworks Display (promote and participate in the community fireworks display in your area); 2) magdiwang nang ligtas kasama ang pamilya(celebrate a safe holiday with family and loved ones); 3) lumikha ng ingay gamit ang ibang paraan tulad ng torotot, busina, lata at iba pa(use alternative noise-makers to welcome the New Year like car horns, cans, pots and pans, radio music, etc); 4) makisaya sa ibang paraan tulad ng street party, concert, palaro at iba pa (join merry-making activities such as street parties, concerts, games); and, 5)magmuni-muni ng mga aral ng taong nakaraan at pag-isipan ang mga hakbanging tungo sa mas masaganang 2012 (use the time to reflect on the lessons of the past year and make resolutions for a better 2012).
Secretary Ona particularly enjoined all citizens to participate in the creation of Community Fireworks Displays. The primary purpose of these community displays would be to have designated areas for the safe and responsible use of fireworks in each community. These areas will be situated at ideal locations with adequate buffer zones to avoid injury to individuals, fire hazards and other accidents. Communities will hopefully be able to then pool their resources to provide such displays with even better fireworks than they would be able to purchase individually. The DOH is one with all Filipinos in the wish to welcome the New Year with brilliant festivities and the Community Fireworks Displays will help strike a balance between merriment and safety.
Health authorities strongly reminded the public that most cases of fireworks-related injuries come from the 1-10 years age group, totalling 330 cases or 34% of all injuries. This group is followed by the 11-20 years age group in number of injuries. It was also found that cases reach their peak during December 31 andJanuary 1. Furthermore, DOH statistics of last year’s holiday celebrations reveal that most injuries were due to piccolo, kwitis, five star, pla-pla, and luces.
“We at the DOH recognize the need for implementing a new strategy for the reduction of fireworks-related injuries as the number of cases between 2009 and 2010 decreased by a mere 1.4%,” the health chief explained. “We are aiming for much better results in 2011.”
Injuries sustained during the revelry resulted in blasting without amputation (79%), eye injury (15%), and blast injury with amputation (6%).
From 21 December 2010 to 5 January 2011, there were 1,022 total injuries recorded. Of these total, 972 were fireworks-related, 39 from stray bullet and 11 from fireworks ingestion.
Most injuries came from the National Capital Region (581), Ilocos Region (73),Central Luzon and CALABARZON (66 cases each), and Western Visayas (65).
“We can always make our holidays fun-filled, exciting, and safe because injuries are preventable,” Ona concluded
