Echiverri warns users of ‘watusi’

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri warned parents yesterday to prevent children from playing with poisonous sparklers, particularly watusi.

Echiverri said that despite repeated warnings by the local government, unscrupulous vendors continue to sell the illegal items.

He urged parents to see to it that their children would not be able obtain banned pyrotechnics that are easily available in sari-sari stores.

Echiverri urged residents to refrain from using prohibited firecrackers to avoid accidents or even fires.

He warned peddlers of illegal firecracker, including owners of sari-sari stores caught selling them to young children that "they will be dealt with accordingly."

"We should not sacrifice or put in peril the lives of the young kids for a small amount of earning. Let’s celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year safely and solemnly by avoiding this dangerous practice of using banned pyrotechnics," Echiverri urged his constituents. — Pete Laude