Health Secretary Enrique Ona has announced the government’s firework-injury reduction campaign, dubbed Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR).

APIR which also means ‘Give me five’ in local slang, focuses on the complete set of fingers representing five reminders to prevent injury and five suggestions to keep safe while celebrating the holidays.

Ona said  the five reminders to prevent harm and injury are: 1) mapanganib ang pag-gamit ng paputok (fireworks cause injuries and endanger health); 2) lahat ng paputok ay bawal sa bata (children should not use any fireworks); 3) umiwas sa mga taong nagpapaputok (keep safe and away from exploding fireworks); 4) Huwag mamulot ng mga di sumabog na paputok (never pick used fireworks); and, 5) Magpagamot kaagad kapag naputukan (seek immediate medical treatment for all firework injuries).

Ona has enjoined all citizens to participate in the creation of Community Fireworks Displays to have designated areas for the safe and responsible use of fireworks in each community.

These areas should be situated at ideal locations with adequate buffer zones to avoid injury to individuals, fire hazards and other accidents. Communities will hopefully be able to then pool their resources to provide such displays with even better fireworks than they would be able to purchase individually.