In the Philippines, no new year is complete without fireworks. Pyrotechnics bring the night sky to life with their dazzling display of colorful explosions, shower of stars, and comet-like streaks of light, while the deafening boom of firecrackers is enough to truly drive evil spirits away.
Spectacular as they are, however, fireworks put you at risk for injuries, from minor to serious to even downright fatal. In the run-up leading to January 2024, the Department of Health noted a 50% increase in fireworks-related injuries from December 21, 2023 to January 5, 2024. One of the most devastating cases is that of a 4-year-old boy from central Luzon who lost all five fingers on his right hand after lighting a “dart bomb” firecracker.
“People assume that fireworks aren’t dangerous—and that’s the dangerous part,” says Mark Austin F. Gawaran, MD, Emergency Medicine Specialist at Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “Because you assume they’re safe, you let your guard down. But the principle of all fireworks is that it involves combustion or fire. Even lucis (Roman Candle), which is supposedly the safest, can reach temperatures of up to 1,000°C. That’s 10 times hotter than boiling water.”
Dr. Gawaran, who treats patients with fireworks-related injuries daily at MakatiMed at least two (2) weeks before the new year and even two (2) weeks after festivities, has these first-aid tips to ensure you welcome the brand-new year happy, healthy, and intact.
1.If you burn your skin
“If it’s minor, clean and cool the burnt area under cold running water for 15 minutes,” he shares. “Don’t apply anything on it—not ointment, aloe vera, or toothpaste.”
If the burn is bigger than your palm, wrap it in plastic wrap (which doesn’t stick to open wounds like gauze) and go to the ER for doctors to assess. “Patients with burns also need to be given tetanus vaccines,” he adds.
Don’t be deceived by the skin-deep appearance burns. “Severe burns could lead to infection, which in turn could result in hypotension and shock,” Dr. Gawaran warns. “Your body could also go into survival mode. Your heart rate will increase and eventually there will be a dissipation of moisture to cool the body from the heat. Notice how burns are wet or develop blisters.”
And speaking of blisters, it is best to leave them alone. “Blisters are in a sterile environment under your skin. Pop them, and you remove their protection and expose them to germs.”
2.If you inhale firecracker smoke
Of the fireworks-related injuries, this gets the least attention, perhaps because it is unseen. But it can be detrimental to your health. “You inhale more than just smoke,” notes Dr. Gawaran. “You inhale toxic chemicals from the fireworks and hot gas. I’ve seen patients whose nose hairs were singed from inhaling firecracker fumes.” These fumes can reach your throat, which can swell and block your airways, resulting in acute respiratory failure.
If you happen to inhale smoke from firecrackers, the first thing to do is to get yourself to safety and into fresh air. “If you are showing signs of smoke inhalation such as dizziness, gray or black saliva, and chest pain, go and seek medical help immediately,” Dr. Gawaran urges.
3. If you ingest a firecracker
Small and red watusi sticks are often mistaken as sweet candy by kids. Yet contrary to popular belief, there is no first-aid for firecracker ingestion. Do not feed them milk or raw eggs or induce vomiting. “Whether you saw your child eat a firecracker or suspect that they did, bring them to the ER immediately so they can be properly evaluated,” the ER medicine specialist points out.
4.If you lose a finger from a blast
Time is of the essence, says Dr. Gawaran. First, clean the severed finger of dirt in running water. Gently dry it, then place inside a clean plastic bag and seal it. Put the sealed bag in a container with ice and head to the ER. “A lot of people think you should put ice directly on the severed finger. That will only make it too moist and destroy tissue,” he says.
For Gawaran, the sooner you arrive at the ER, the better your chances of getting your finger reattached. “Some literature says doctors can give you up to two (2) hours, but I’d rather you be here in 30 minutes or less than an hour after the accident. Of course, it would also really all depend on how bad the injury is.”especially if you are mindful about certain precautions.
“As amazing as they are to watch, fireworks are dangerous too,” reminds Dr. Gawaran. “Keep them away from children and those under the influence of alcohol. Don’t hold a firecracker when you light it; use a long stick and avoid kicking, picking up, or inspecting it up close after it has exploded. Buy only legal fireworks from trusted sources—or better yet, welcome the new year with others in a community-organized fireworks display.”
MakatiMed’s Emergency Department is always open 24/7 to cater to any kind of injury during the holidays, but Dr. Gawaran hopes to see a significant decrease in fireworks-related injuries: “For everyone’s sake, we want you to be safe and sound in celebrating the new year.”
Article based on the “Doctors on TV” episode with Mark Austin F. Gawaran, MD last December 30, 2023.
For immediate assistance, go to MakatiMed’s Emergency Department on the Ground Floor of the hospital’s Tower 1 or call (+632) 8888 8910 to request an ambulance. You may also reach out to us via MakatiMed On-Call at (+632) 8888 8999 for any health-related inquiries.
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