Piccolo still cause of most firecracker-related injuries —DOH

Piccolo is still the biggest culprit for firecracker injuries recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) since December 21.

DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy told GMA News To Go that 72 percent of firecracker injuries recorded from December 21 to December 27 were caused by piccolo.

The DOH said Sunday that a total of 81 firecracker injuries have been recorded, 46 percent lower compared to the number of cases recorded during the same period last year.

Most injuries involve "igniters" or people who light the firecrackers themselves and end up mutilating their hands.

Although the piccolo is not considered a powerful explosive, the damage it causes could require the amputation of fingers, Lee Suy said.

Asked why a firecracker that isn't as strong as Super Lolo and the like could cause so much injury, Lee Suy said: "Baka ang depinisyon kasi nila ng lakas ay kailangan maputulan ng kamay. Alam naman natin na kahit daliri lang ang maputol, nagkakaroon ng stigma at naapektohan pa rin ang kanilang kinabukasan."

He stressed the importance of parental supervision in preventing more injuries, explaining that most of the patients are young children. These children are able to purchase an illegal firecracker from sari-sari stores that are not authorized to sell any type of firecracker.

Despite this, he still commended the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government for their efforts for the "Iwas Paputok" campaign, adding that the latter imposed the ban on selling fireworks to minors. —AT/ALG, GMA News