DOH asks New Year’s Eve revelers to be careful in using ‘torotot’

MANILA, Dec. 28 (PNA) – The Department of Health (DoH) on Tuesday asked New Year’s Eve revelers to be careful in using "Torotot" (paper horns) in welcoming the 2011 on Friday.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the paper horns can also be dangerous to children who will be welcoming 2011. He said two children have been rushed to the hospital after swallowing "torotot" whistles.

Ona said instead of using torotot and firecrackers, people should just use pots and pans to make noise on New Year's Eve.

Meanwhile, Ona announced that the DOH has already recorded 173 firecracker-related injuries from December 21 to December 28.

He said the number is a 36 percent jump from the average of the last five years, but 12 percent lower compared to the number of firecracker-related injuries recorded in the same period of 2009.

Ona said that the China-made Piccolo firecracker remains on top of the list of reasons for these injuries followed by "kwitis."

The health secretary said they are expecting the figure to balloon to 1,000 in the next three days if people would continue using firecrackers.

The DOH has repeatedly advised people to conduct "community fireworks" and local governments to assign specific areas where adults can light firecrackers during the New Year revelry. (PNA)