First-aid guide for moms: How to treat firework injuries

Firework injuries and wounds from stray bullets continue to be a problem on New Year's Eve. Learn how we can keep our children and families safe.

First aid for firework injuries and other New Year's Eve emergency cases

Filipinos love to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a bang. Sadly, there is a grim side to the revelry, too.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), nearly 600 cases of firework injuries and wounds from stray bullets were reported by the morning of January 1st, 2014, from across 50 hospitals nationwide.

Firework injuries are often caused by attempting to re-light used firecrackers, watching fireworks displays from an unsafe distance, and using firecrackers which have already been prohibited in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, injuries from stray bullets happen when gun owners fire their weapons in celebration of the new year.

You need to be prepared and know what to do in case of emergencies on New Year’s Eve. Here are some useful first aid tips.

First aid for first degree burns

For minor burns, cool the skin by holding it under cool running water for a few minutes. Do not place ice on the wound.

Once cooled, wrap the injured area in cling wrap. A clean plastic bag, aluminum foil or a clean, dry cloth may also be used to cover the wound if plastic wrap is not available.

It is important to keep the burned area clean. This helps to lessen the risk of infection.

Things to remember when treating burns

Any serious burn injuries should be taken to the hospital immediately for treatment. Take extra care when the burn patient is a small child or an elderly person.

Do not burst or break blisters that may appear on the affected area.

Only use ointments or creams that have been prescribed by a doctor. Also, stay away from home remedies such as using toothpaste or tomato slices to treat burned skin. These may lead to infection.

First aid for small flesh wounds

Small wounds can include cuts and abrasions that are about an inch or less in size.

The first thing to do in these cases is to hold the wounded area under cool running water. This helps to clean the area and stop any bleeding. It also helps to ease pain.

Things to remember when treating small wounds

You may wash the injured area with mild soap. Keeping the wound clean helps prevent infection.

Cover the wound with a sterile gauze or bandage. If the bandage covering the wound gets dirty or wet, remove and replace it with a new one.

Once the cut area starts to form a scab, you no longer need to bandage it.

If you notice redness, swelling, or pus forming in the wounded area after a few days, seek medical treatment immediately.

First aid for large wounds

For large cuts, deep lacerations or puncture wounds, rinse the area immediately under cool water to remove dirt and debris.

While the wound is new, avoid using hydrogen peroxide or iodine because these can cause irritation. Instead, clean it with an alkaline soap like Perla or Ivory.

In case of continuous bleeding, use a clean cloth to apply pressure on the wounded area while keeping it elevated. When bleeding has stopped, cover the wounded area with cling wrap to protect it from dirt.

Large and deep wounds require more care and immediate medical attention, so you should bring the injured person to the emergency room right away.

Things to remember when treating large wounds

Stitches may be required to close wounds that are large, deep, or jagged. If the wound requires stitches, keep the area dry for 1-3 days, or as instructed by the doctor.

Ask your doctor if you will need to apply an antibiotic ointment or take any oral medications to prevent infection.

First aid for eye injuries

In case of an eye injury, do not rub the area or attempt to wash out any objects stuck to the eye.

It's also vital that you do not rub or put pressure on the injured eye. Instead, cover it with a clean cloth and seek medical attention immediately.

First aid for blast injuries on the hands

The first thing that you should do in case fireworks explode in someone’s hands is to check if all fingers are complete. If the blast victim’s hands are intact, hold the hands and fingers under cool water, but do not use ice.

In case of severed fingers, try to look for the lost fingers and place them immediately in a clean plastic bag with ice. Take the patient along with the fingers to the nearest hospital for treatment.

First aid for firework ingestion

If your child accidentally swallows any fireworks, immediately have him or her swallow 6 to 8 raw egg whites. If it is an adult who ingests fireworks, he or she must drink 12 raw egg whites.

Afterwards, rush the patient immediately to the hospital for treatment against poisoning.

First aid for bullet injuries

Injuries and deaths from stray bullets continue to plague the New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Philippines.

In the event of a bullet injury, call an ambulance for assistance immediately. Do not attempt to move the patient yourself unless you need to get him or her to a safer place.

Numbers to call in case of emergency

In case of any emergencies during the holidays, here are some hotline numbers that you can call:

Philippine Red Cross
Hotline: 143
Alternative numbers: (02) 527-0000, (02) 527-8385 to 95

Lifeline Ambulance Rescue, Inc.
24/7 Emergency Hotline: 16-911

Philippine National Police (PNP)
Hotline: 117
Text hotline: send TXT PNP to 2920

Bureau of Fire Protection (NCR)
Hotline: 117
Alternative numbers: (02) 729-5166, (02) 410-6319

Click to view the DOH listing of government and private hospitals in the Philippines.

Keep your families safe during the New Year’s Eve festivities

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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Written by

Patricia de Castro-Cuyugan

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