The Center for Health Development in Western Visayas of the Department of Health has banned the sale and use of pyrotechnic devices such as piccolo, watusi, and the PVC cannon, commonly known as boga, during the holiday season, Jerry Porras, CHD-VI coordinator on violence, injury, and paputok, said yesterday.

Porras was in Bacolod City to promote the Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction drive to curb firecracker and pyrotechnic accidents.

At a press conference at the Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod, Porras said they are happy to know that buyers from Western Visayas do not patronize piccolo, unlike those in Metro Manila where many still buy this kind of firecracker.

Watusis are ingestible and highly poisonous to children, and PVC cannon has caused blasts and burn injuries to users, he said.

DOH 6 has recorded 42 injuries from its two sentinel sites, the Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City and the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City.

Porras said this covered Dec. 21, 2011 to Jan. 5, 2012 and involved eye injuries, blasts, and a stray bullet.

Through the campaign, he said they hope to reduce injuries due to firecracker and pyrotechnic blasts, and parents should take full responsibility for their children.

DOH also reminded retailers not to sell firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices to children below 18 years old while parents are encouraged not to allow their children play with these materials, he added.

The Food and Drug Authority also conducts compliance monitoring of toy products regularly, Susana Madarieta, DOH-CHD regional director, said in a press release.

Madarieta said toys should be durable, well-constructed, appealing, interesting, and safe for the child.

Responsible buying is advised and buyers should check warning labels and only give toys appropriate to the child’s age to avoid choking and other injuries, she added.*LTG

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