By Civ Alonzo-Cruz
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 30 cases of firecracker-related injuries on Friday (Dec. 31) ahead of the New Year’s Eve revelry.
The figures were 76% higher compared to the 17 cases in 2020, and 66% lower than the five-year average of 89 cases for the same time period.
In a report released by the DOH’s National Epidemiology Center Fireworks Injury Registry, nine (30%) of the firecracker-related cases occurred in Region 6; five (17%) in Region 1; four (13%) in Metro Manila; three (10%) in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; two (7%) in Regions 2, 3, and 6; and one (3%) in Regions 5, 9, and 12.
There are no cases of fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury, or death.
Of the 30 reported firework-related cases, 26 (87%) were males. Ages ranged from 6 years-old to 34 years-old. Seven (23%) cases had blast or burn injury requiring amputation and 17 (57%) did not require amputation, while eight (27%) cases had an eye injury.
Two (7%) cases had sustained multiple types of injuries, 19 (63%) cases were active users of firecrackers, 12 (40%) cases occurred at home, 16 (53%) cases occurred in the street, one (4%) at a workplace, and one (4%) in a basketball court. There were 13 (43%) cases of hand injury.
The leading causes of injuries were prohibited firecrackers including unlabeled or imported firecrackers, boga, 5-Star, Triangle, and Piccolo.
The health department continuously urged the public to ditch firecrackers for safer alternatives in celebrating the New Year’s Eve through its “Oplan: Iwas Paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok” campaign.
“The DOH advises the public to put safety first and use alternatives to fireworks such as noise and light-producing devices like sound systems, bells, pans, or tambourines in order to prevent debilitating and life-threatening injuries,” the agency said.
In 2017, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Executive Order No. 28 to regulate the manufacturing, sale, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the country to prevent firecracker-related injuries and to lessen pollution. -ag
