98 people hurt by firecrackers on New Year’s Day — DOH

Firecracker-related injuries rose to 236 from Dec. 21, 2018, to Jan. 2, 2019, the DOH said. INQUIRER FILE

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) said it recorded 98 firecracker-related injuries over the New Year, bringing the total to 236 cases reported from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2 for a 52 percent drop from figures a year ago.

In its Fireworks-Related Injury (FWRI) Surveillance report, the DOH said the 98 were hurt by firecrackers from Jan. 1 to early morning Jan. 2.

Of the number, 35 were from the National Capital Region; 22 from Region I, 13 from Region VI, six from Region VII, five from Region IV-A, four from Region III, three each from the ARMM and Region V, two each from Regions IV-B and XII; and one each from Regions II, IX, XI.

The total 236 from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2 this year is 52 percent lower than the 492 recorded in 2018 and 71 percent lower than the 814 five-year average, the DOH said.

DOH said that of the 236 victims, 187 were male. Those affected were between the ages of two to 75 years old, with a median age of 16 years old.

The health agency noted that 140 of the firecracker-related injuries were caused by legal fireworks. A total of 234 victims were hurt by firecrackers while two cases were due to “fireworks ingestion.”

DOH also said 180 cases were blast or burn injuries without amputation; eight cases were blast or burn injuries with amputation; and 61 cases were eye injuries.

In the report, the top cause of injuries was “kwitis” or rocket (55), followed by luces (20), then piccolo (19), PVC cannon or “boga” (18), and 5-star (14). /cbb