Watusi is a dangerous firecracker. Parents should prevent their children from playing with it to avoid poisoning, the Department of Health (DOH) advised.
DOH Center for Health Development in Western Visayas is aggressively campaigning this year against the use of firecrackers to prevent the loss of lives and limbs of people in the height of celebrating Christmas and New Year days.
The advisory against the use of watusi and other firecrackers is contained in a Brief on Formula Kontra Paputok released by DOH 6 for holiday merrymakers to “stay live and complete for the coming year”.
According to the briefer, watusi poisoning is a condition due to ingestion of watusi. Watusi is made up of extremely poisonous and toxic chemicals.
When one suffers from watusi poisoning, there are burns, burning pain in the throat and garlic odor from breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomitus and excreta suffered by the victim.
When watusi is ingested by a victim, DOH advises against inducing vomiting. Instead, the victim, if a child, should be given 8 egg whites and 8-12 egg whites for adults.
“If there is a dermal exposure, bathe the patient using alkaline soap like Perla or Ivory,” said the advisory.” It is also advised that the child should be brought immediately to the nearest hospital even if he/she seems to be well. Ill-effects may not be seen at once.
Watusi is already banned from the market. However, Dr. Ariel I. Valencia, Director III and OIC Regional Director of DOH 6 CHD Western Visayas, said there are still watusis being sold in many “bangketas” and even “sari-sari stores”.
DOH expects that by 2010, the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics shall be totally eliminated.
DOH Campaign On Formula Paputok
The Department of Health – Center for Health Development (CAD) Western Visayas, through its Health Advocacy and Promotion Unit is intensifying its campaign on Formula Kontra Paputok this Christmas season.
According to Dr. Myrtle Pelayo, Provincial DOH representative in Aklan, the campaign is to avoid dangers and reduce the incidence of firecracker and pyrotechnic-related injuries during the holiday season.
DOH campaign on Formula Paputok is contained in a Briefer produced by DOH-CHD 6 reminds everybody – whether he or she is a health service provider/advocate, firecrackers/pyrotechnic devices manufacturer or law enforcer, and an end-user who is always the victim to celebrate Christmas to the helm but without danger to selves and with consideration to other innocent people around.
Based on records on firecrackers related injuries in Western Visayas, there was a tremendous increase of firecrackers and pyrotechnics victims in the year 2004 compared to 2003. Although there was a decrease in 2005, 2006 and 2007, there was a 6.41 percent sustained increase noted despite massive reminder by different sectors on the hazard and danger of firecracker.
According to the DOH, there are still extravagant buying and heedless lighting of the objects that cause sufferings of victims – partially or permanently.
DOH records show that every year, children – mostly 10 years old and below comprise the bigger fraction of victims of fireworks and firecrackers, followed by youth and adolescents (11-20 years old), who are experimenting or maybe satisfying their curiosity but became victims.
One major cause of the increasing number of incidence is the accessibility of these objects to the vulnerable groups who are supposed to be guided by their parents and caregivers and monitor their activities with their peers. There is no proper regulation as to the vending of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, with some only made available in any “bangketa” or “sari-sari” stores. (by VENUS VILLANUEVA, PIA) /MP
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