MANILA, Philippines—Twenty-three Filipinos have been injured due to firecrackers and one from a stray bullet between December 21 and 24, the Department of Health said Friday.

The number of fireworks-related injuries, which included seven children under 10 years old, was fewer by 10 cases compared to the same period last year, according to the department’s Iwas Paputok Surveillance Update report.

Of the 23 firecracker victims, 12 are from Metro Manila, five are from Western Visayas, two each from Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas, and one each from Ilocos region and Bicol.

The victim of the stray bullet came from Central Luzon, according to Dr. Eric Tayag, director of National Epidemiology Center, the agency that prepared the report.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had recommended a ban on the use of firecrackers in residential areas and urged local authorities to designate common fireworks areas.

“These devices are not toys and are very dangerous, especially in the hands of innocent children. Fireworks should be lighted and handled by professionals,” he added.

Duque also urged public vigilance in reporting indiscriminate gun-firing to prevent accidents.

Duque said the department, together with the Philippine National Police, had banned the sale of powerful fire crackers like pla-pla, piccolo, 5-star, atomic bomb, triangulo, super lolo, and boga.

A total of 50 sentinel hospitals nationwide are monitoring cases of injuries caused by fireworks use, stray bullet from indiscriminate firing, and watusi or firecracker powder ingestion during the holidays.

Of the total 733 injuries recorded between December 21, 2008 to January 5 this year, 714 were fireworks-related, 17 from stray-bullet injuries, and two cases were watusi or firecracker powder ingestion, said Duque.

For more information on how to prevent such injuries, call (02) 743-83-01 local 1901 and1937 or visit the anti-fireworks website