PROHIBITED FIREWORKS AND FIRECRACKERS

Under Republic Act (RA) 7183 or the law on pyrotechnic devices, persons caught manufacturing, selling, distributing and purchasing these items may be imprisoned from six months to a year, and may be slapped with a fine from P20,000 to P30,000.

Below is a list of all the firecrackers prohibited for sale and manufacture in the country by the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry.

• Watusi or the “dancing firecracker.” It was initially allowed for sale and manufacture under RA 7183, but was eventually banned because it causes poisoning when ingested, especially among children.

• Piccolo – This firecracker has been the leading cause of firecracker-related injuries since 2007. The Department of Health banned it in 2007 because it can explode on the hands, and may cause death when ingested.

• Super Lolo and Atomic Big Triangulo – two firecrackers specifically mentioned in RA 7183.

• Mother Rockets – firecracker with a stick designed as a propellant upon lighting the wick.

• Lolo Thunder – a powerful firecracker twice the size of a Five Star.

• Pillbox – a firecracker that causes a series of sparks when lit.

• Boga – traditional canon made from PVC pipe using denatured alcohol as explosive ingredient.

• Big Judah’s belt – a string of firecrackers consisting of smaller firecrackers that number up to a hundred, and culminating in a larger and more powerful firecracker.

• Big Bawang – a firecracker packed in cardboard tied around with abaca strings, giving it the shape of a large garlic.

• Kwiton – aerial firecracker which explodes several times when lit.

• Goodbye Philippines – giant triangle-shaped firecracker which packs a powerful explosion.

• Kabasi – a triangle-sized explosive twice the size of a Pla-pla.

• Other banned firecrackers include the “Atomic Bomb,” Five Star, Pla-pla, Og, Giant Whistle Bomb, and unlabelled firecrackers.

   *credits to GMA News