Parents told: Torotot can hurt kids

MANILA, Philippines — Parents should supervise children who may choose to play with torotot or paper horns to make noise for the New Year, a consumer watchdog said yesterday.

“If a torotot is the preferred noisemaker, parents should select a well-made torotot and supervise a child while she or he plays with it. While a torotot will not blow off a child’s fingers or give off toxic fumes, it may cause injuries requiring medical care as well as add to the revelry garbage,” said EcoWaste Coalition’s Thony Dizon.

Children may choke on the horn’s mouthpiece or whistle, cut themselves on the sharp edges of a horn’s bell or suffer noise-induced hearing loss, Dizon said.

Meanwhile, the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) warned the public yesterday not to play with firecrackers and pyrotechnics near the power firm’s facilities.

“Confetti, party poppers and balloons can also cause electric trouble, so it would be best to use them in open spaces and far from our facilities,” Meralco spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said. – Danessa Rivera