Boy loses sight to 'piccolo' as firecracker injuries rise

A seven-year-old boy from the Bicol region went blind while an 18-year-old lost his right hand, joining the increasing number of victims of firecracker injuries ahead of the New Year revelry.

Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the Department of Health (DOH) National Epidemiology Center (NEC), said the boy ignited a piccolo firecracker but it exploded in his face before he was able to throw it, severely damaging his eyes.

“Piccolo is an innocent-looking firecracker but it is responsible for the majority of firecracker-related injuries reported to us since December 22 and in the past Yuletide seasons,” Tayag pointed out. 

He said the DOH had strongly recommended the banning of piccolo.

“Most of the victims are children so we strongly advise parents not to allow their kids to play with piccolo,” Tayag said.

Piccolo is similar to a match that is set off by scratching it against a rough surface.

The teenager from Iloilo, on the other hand, lost his right hand after lighting a “Camara,” a six-inch cylindrical firecracker shaped like dynamite, which went off prematurely.

“There are 12 cases of amputations but he is the worst. He lost his entire right hand while others lost their fingers. It is not worth it to lose a limb and maybe even your life because of firecrackers,” Tayag said.

The NEC had registered 17 new cases of fireworks injuries and one person hit by a stray bullet, bringing the number of firecracker injuries to 132 and three people being hit by stray bullets since Dec. 22.

Tayag added there is only one reported case of watusi poisoning.

Of the 132 firecracker-related cases, 24 percent are eye injuries, he said.

The NEC said 45 of the reported firecracker cases were caused by piccolo, followed by Five Star at 16 injuries; home-made firecrackers at 11; luces at nine and kwitis with five reported victims.

The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), meanwhile, announced it is preparing more blood supply in anticipation of the increase in firecracker-related injuries.

Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, for its part, initiated a bloodletting activity to donate blood for the PNRC.

Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said PNRC chairman Sen. Richard Gordon made the request for a bloodletting activity.

Tamayo said 107 Coast Guard personnel volunteered to donate their blood at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila.

“We need to give blood because we have to get ready for the victims of firecracker injuries, dengue and other medical needs especially during the lean months of December and January,” Gordon said.

Eye specialist Dr. Jack Arroyo, president of American Eye Center and full partner of Associated Eye Specialists, on the other hand, urged the public to “stay clear of fireworks and instead save their money for more important things in life.”

“Why don’t we start the coming year right by being safe and practicing austerity? Stay away from fireworks, and in return avoid eye-related injuries and the costs that go with the treatment,” Arroyo said.

He said families should instead watch public fireworks displays, which have now become the fad in big malls and in some communities.

“Let the trained professionals put up the show for you. It’s a lot safer and cheaper that way... if you want to continue enjoying life with the benefit of good eyesight, the best thing to do is to keep your distance from fireworks and enjoy them from a distance,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo warned wearing prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses provide very little protection against eye injuries caused by firecrackers.

“You should ideally wear safety goggles to prevent toxic fumes, chemicals and flying debris from getting into your eyes,” he added. –With Evelyn Macairan