Observing a safe Yuletide Season

EDITORIAL

The Yuletide Season is here once again and with it, the expected rise in number of victims hurt, maimed or killed by firecrackers, guns and other dangerous devises in celebration of the birth of Christ.

Such an irony but, then, year in year out, some folks of this blighted nation never learn and still engage in dangerous ways of merriment. 

In the Cordillera, the Dept. of Health regional office, partners and stakeholders have started an advocacy to safe celebration by launching the annual advocacy campaign in a media forum in Baguio City.

Dubbed “Oplan iwas paputok, fireworks display ang patok,” advocates called on the public   to do away with the use of firecrackers and opt for  safer noise and merry-making activities and instead join community fireworks display  especially during New Year revelry.

According to Dr. Alexei Marrero, DOH – Cordillera health emergency management cluster head, based from their yuletide monitoring period last year (Dec. 21, 2017 to Jan. 5, 2018), 17 cases of fireworks-related injuries were recorded. Most victims were males and within 10 years old and below bracket with a 3-year old as the youngest.

He said it is still the health department’s goal to achieve a firecracker injury- free yuletide celebration.

For a more effective Iwas Paputok campaign, Marrero called on Cordillera local governments to support the campaign through local ordinances or administrative orders banning the sale and use of firecrackers in their respective localities.

So far, only 25 out of the 75 cities and municipalities in the region reportedly have anti – firecracker sale and use ordinance. 

Aside from injury – free advocacy campaign, Marrero also reminded the public to have a healthy yuletide celebration by watching their diet and having enough rest, as the season tends to bring more parties and sweet and fatty foods.

People should also look into proper food preparations, handling and storage, he said.

Joining the media forum were Bureau of Fire Protection regional director Supt Lilibeth Simangan and Supt. Pilita Tacio of Police Regional Office – Cordillera who said they have set security and fire measures in place for the yuletide season.

Others were Dr. Donnabel Tubera of the City Health Services Office, Razi Gatchalian and Aileen Fernando of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, and   lawyer George Forteia, Secretary to the City Mayor.

All had the same message -- have a safe Yuletide Season. So before you take hold of that explosive device, always remember the adage: prevention is better than cure. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!