Are your firecrackers safe? PNP explains

The Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) said on Wednesday that the danger of a firecracker is determined not by its appearance, but by what is inside.

In Jun Veneracion’s report on 24 Oras, the PNP-FEO noted that large or heavy firecrackers are usually considered illegal.

For a piece of firecracker to be considered within allowable limits, the volume of gunpowder inside it must not exceed one-third teaspoon, or 0.2 grams, said Police Col. Rex Buyucan, chief of the Explosive Management Division of the PNP-FEO.

“Kung mas malaki yung content ng firecracker, definitely yung lakas or impact ng pagsabog niya ay mas malawak rin. So kung malapit sa katawan mo at sumabog, definitely affected yung katawan mo,” he said.

(If the firecracker’s content is larger, the power or impact of its explosion will definitely be broader. So, if it is close to your body when it explodes, your body will definitely be affected.)

The PNP-FEO also explained that there are regulations for producing firecracker wicks.

According to Buyucan, wicks must not ignite or explode in less than three seconds after being lit.

It is also unsafe to approach a firecracker if it does not explode within six seconds, as the ignition may simply be delayed.

“Kung minsan yung mitsa ay may defect or yung medyo masyadong maiksi, doon yung nakaka-cause ng injury o disgrasya,” said Buyucan.

(Sometimes, if the wick has a defect or is too short, that is what causes injuries or accidents.)

Moreover, the PNP-FEO warned that even small firecrackers like “watusi” are banned because they stick to the hand and are poisonous.

Aside from “watusi” other banned firecrackers include include “Lolo Thunder,” “Pop Pop,” “Atomic Triangle,” “Pla-Pla,” “Mother Rockets,” “Piccolo,” and “Goodbye Philippines.”

Authorities also warned that a firecracker not on the list should not be taken to mean it is safe, as some may have been renamed but still exceed the allowed gunpowder limits.

The public is advised to always check the label and the PS (Philippine standards) mark before using any firecracker.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News