Push Admin

4-year-old swallows watusi; firework-related injuries climb to 88: DOH

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Revelers light up firecrackers to welcome 2018 in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay on Jan. 1, 2018. Firecrackers and pyrotechnics are still used during the new year despite an executive order banning its usage in households and places of residence. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/12/26/20180101-newyear-fireworks-zamboanga-md-770.jpg"/><figcaption>Revelers light up firecrackers to welcome 2018 in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay on Jan. 1, 2018. Firecrackers and pyrotechnics are still used during the new year despite an executive order banning its usage in households and places of residence. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File </em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) — The Department of Health on Thursday reported the first case of watusi ingestion case this holiday season, as injuries related to fireworks reached 88 in total, 4 days before the New Year. </p><p>A 4-year old boy from Calabarzon accidentally swallowed watusi at home, the DOH said in its seventh day of monitoring for fireworks-related injuries. </p><p>In a statement, the DOH said that the family of the child &quot;cannot be reached&quot; at the moment.</p><p>&quot;The DOH appeals to the parents and family of the patient to please return to the hospital for proper medical attention,&quot; the DOH said.</p><p>The DOH added that signs and symptoms of watusi poisoning may not be immediate, and may manifest in the next few hours and be persistent for a few days. </p><p>&quot;Death is a risk,&quot; it added.</p><p>Watusi is deadly when ingested as it contains yellow phosphorous, potassium chlorate, potassium nitrate, and TNT or trinitrotoluene, an explosive. Children often mistake the small, brightly colored firework for candy, the health department said. </p><p>Those who accidentally ingest watusi should be immediately brought to the hospital, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said.</p><p>“Wag pipiliting magsuka ang pasyente. Pero bigyan siya ng egg white. Ito ang bumabalot sa yellow phosphorous. Nababalutan niya ang lason. Pag nabalutan siya ng egg white, mas nadaling tanggalin. Hindi dapat tinatanggal sa bahay. Kaya una bigyan ng egg white pero dalhin sa ospital.” he said. </p><p>Watusi can also get lodged in the eye. If this happens, the DOH advises to immediately wash the eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes and to keep eyelids open while seeking medical assistance. </p><p>Of the 88 total injuries logged all over the country, around 30 percent came from Metro Manila. Other regions with the highest number of cases include Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, Bicol Region, Davao Region and Soccsksargen.</p><p>Majority of the injuries involved males who actively lit firecrackers at home or on the streets, the DOH noted. </p><p>These injuries were caused by what is considered as illegal firecrackers or those that are highly explosive. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/13/23/list-firecrackers-prohibited-by-law">LIST: Firecrackers prohibited by law</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/18/23/dilg-chief-eyes-total-ban-on-firecrackers">DILG chief wants total ban on firecracker</a></li></ul><p>The DOH earlier said that whether legal or not, all firecrackers could cause the same degree of damage, some of which have resulted in the amputation of body parts.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/27/23/both-legal-illegal-firecrackers-can-cause-severe-injuries-doh">DOH: Both legal, illegal firecrackers can cause severe injuries, amputation</a></li></ul><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2913205" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2913154" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Department of Health reported the first case of watusi ingestion case this holiday season, as injuries related to fireworks reached 88.

4-year-old swallows watusi; firework-related injuries climb to 88: DOH

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

4-year-old swallows watusi; firework-related injuries climb to 88: DOH

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 28, 2023 01:06 PM PHT

|

Updated December 28, 2023 06:35 PM PHT

Read More:

firecrackers

fireworks

injuries

Department of Health

DOH

watusi

Bagong Taon

New Year

New Year 2024

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.