Stay away from boga, piccolo, DOH says

With only a few days before 2016, the Department of Health (DOH) has reminded the public to avoid using improvised toy guns or boga and the firecracker piccolo to mark the coming New Year.

Children as young as 12-year-old "Richard" of Agham Road in Quezon City have been improvising to make their own boga, according to Bernadette Reyes' report on GMA News' "24 Oras."

Even young kids in Marinduque and Zamboanga City have also been making their own version.

"Iyong boga o kung paano man siya ginamit--iyong kawayan noon o pinagdugtong-dugtong na tin cans--pare-pareho ito ng epekto na pwede magkaroon sa tao. Kung accidentally eh pumutok o nagkaroon ng pagsabog dahil sa alcohol na ginamit--at ugali kasi dito eh inilalapit ang mukha nila kapag hindi pumutok o hindi sumabog--eh parang canyon iyan eh, lalapit sila tataktakin nila, baka mag-trigger iyan ng reaction sa mga kemikal na kinabit so pwede magkaroon ng burn injuries," DOH spokesperson Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy said.

Aside from boga, the DOH has also reminded that using piccolo is also prohibited.

According to the DOH, piccolo is the leading cause of firecracker-related injuries in the country in 2015 with 84 cases.

Most of the victims are kids 11 years old and below. From December 21 at 6 a.m. until December 28 at 6 a.m., the total number of fireworks-related injuries are at 111.

"Ang piccolo ang very common kasi mabilis na mabili. Napakaliit at madaling ma access ng mga tao. Let us be reminded na ang piccolo ay kasama sa mga ipinagbabawal na mga paputok," Suy also said in a report by Ivan Mayrina on the same TV news program.

While piccolo usually does not cut fingers, those who will be injured may get infected by tetanus.

DOH has a few reminders for those who will be using firecrackers to welcome the New Year:

• Prepare the first aid kit.
• Before going to the nearest hospital, wash wound caused by firecracker with running water. Avoid using soap.
• If the wound is bleeding, squeeze out blood until it stops gushing out. Also use bandage to stop the bleeding.
• If a part has been cut off, wash it well and put inside a plastic container before bringing the patient to the hospital. The doctors may be able to reconnect the part.
• If an eye has been hit by a firework, wash it well and cover it before running to the hospital.
• When a firecracker has been swallowed, give the victim six to eight egg whites if he or she is a kid while adults should be given eight to 12. Don't force the victim to vomit.
• Parents should keep their eyes on their children.

—Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News