Campaign against firecrackers initiated

THE Department of Health laid out a number of activities in its “Kampanya Kontra Paputok” campaign to lessen the number of firecracker injuries during the holiday season.

Part of the plan is informing and educating the public of the dangers posed by firecrackers and how injuries could be prevented.

The campaign, which is directed by the Center for Health Development directors and chiefs of DOH hospitals, calls for close cooperation among local radios, TV networks, and local government units.

The DOH ordered all Centers for Health Development to take the lead in warning the people of the dangers posed by prohibited firecrackers and watusi.

To discourage the public from using firecrackers, DOH posted streamers and posters of injured victims in strategic and public places.

The DOH, in December 22, released a list of banned firecrackers, which include Piccolo, Pla-pla, 5-star, Atomic Bomb, Triangulo, Super Lolo, Boga, and Watusi.

A memorandum from the police’s Firearms and Explosives Division issued in 2002 banned the sale of watusi.

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona recently showed a “Kampanya Kontra Paputok” streamer to the public. The putting up of streamers aims to reduce fireworks-related injuries. DOH said children below 10 are the ones usually injured by firecrackers, and it came up with "Walang Batang Magpapaputok" as this year’s slogan. (PR)