DOH On ‘White Alert’ Dec. 21, 2014 to Jan. 5, 2015

The Department of Health including the central office, regional offices and DOH-retained hospitals nationwide are placed in a “Code White Alert” from Dec. 21, 2014 to Jan. 5, 2015.

The “Code White Alert” level puts all hospital personnel on a standby status for deployment and augmentation as the need arises for additional medical and other services.

It has also officially began on Sunday, December 21, the 2014 anti-firecracker campaign with a theme “Mahalaga ang buhay, Iwasan ang paputok.” The campaign involves all national, regional, and local government hospitals and private health facilities working with the DOH,

The annual anti-firecracker campaign is one of the biggest and most extensive advocacies of the DOH, involving thousands of health personnel and volunteers across the Philippines, working and cooperating in an effort to save lives and limbs unnecessarily and mindlessly lost due to firecracker-related injuries.

The DOH in a statement strongly appeals to all adults and caregivers supervising children during the Holiday season to exercise extreme vigilance and caution.

It is calling on all adults and caregivers to become great examples to children by not lighting up firecrackers.

The department also encourages Filipinos young and old to have wholesome fun, while at the same time being extra-careful and extremely vigilant against firecrackers explosions, which also may cause fire, affecting communities.

“Let us use safe merry-making instruments and alternative noise-makers such as “torotot,” car horns, or by playing loud music,” the DOH further said.

DOH further advised the following if a child or an adult is injured by firecracker explosions: The wounds must be immediately washed with clean running water for several minutes, until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue has been removed; Immediately rush the injured person to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention; Please follow the advice of attending health personnel on the use of antibiotics and anti-tetanus medication.

“Save a life, protect a limb: do not explode or light up firecrackers,” the DOH urges. (DOH)