Two young children sustained eye injuries just days before the New Year's celebration after using a prohibited firecracker device known as a 'boga'. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal pyrotechnics.
Details of the Incident
The Department of Health in Central Luzon (DOH-3) reported that the two victims are aged 9 and 11 years old. One of the injured children is from the province of Pampanga. The injuries occurred as the children were using the 'boga', a homemade cannon often made from PVC pipe that is explicitly banned by the Philippine National Police.
Authorities Report Decrease in Cases
Despite these early and concerning reports, health officials noted a silver lining. The number of firecracker-related injuries recorded so far remains lower compared to the same monitoring period last year. This data was confirmed by DOH-3 for the region of Central Luzon.
Continued Calls for Safety and Compliance
In light of this incident, authorities are reiterating their strong appeal to the public. The consistent message is to completely avoid using prohibited and dangerous firecrackers to prevent injuries, blindness, and other tragic accidents. Community cooperation is seen as key to ensuring a safer holiday celebration for everyone.
The reported cases underscore the ongoing risks, especially to children, and highlight the importance of heeding official warnings and celebrating the New Year with community fireworks displays or safer alternatives.
