Thursday, December 20, 2007 Police to seize banned 'crackers By Danilo V. Adorador III
AS CHRISTMAS and New Year celebrations near, authorities in Cagayan de Oro said they will confiscate all prohibited and dangerous firecrackers that cause serious injuries.
Acting City Police Director Antonio Montalba said a taskforce was already created to scour firecracker stores to protect the public from potentially life and limb-threatening fireworks.
But for health officials, avoiding the use of all types of firecrackers and using noisemakers instead remains the best way to stay intact in 2008.
The Department of Health (DOH) yearly launches its "Oplan: Iwas Paputok" campaign, which involved using "scare tactics" to drive children and adults alike from using harmful fireworks.
A DOH-produced nine-minute video shown on schools and government-owned TV stations, features mangled limbs and other gory images of firecracker accidental explosions.
While the video may persuade many from using dangerous firecrackers, Director Montalba said removing dangerous fireworks products from the market remains crucial in curbing incidents of accidental explosions.
Montalba said they will also confiscate poisonous products such as the children-favorite "watusi."
For its part, the DOH said local government units should pass stronger measures against firecrackers to lessen, if not eliminate fireworks-related injuries including burns and infections.
