DOH: Fireworks-related injuries down 34% this year

MANILA, Philippines — Cases of fireworks injuries decreased by 34 percent this year compared to last year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Tuesday.

In its fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) report, the DOH said a total of 340 injuries were recorded from Dec. 21, 2018 to Jan. 5, 2019, which was 175 cases fewer than the recorded cases during the same period last year.

Specifically, 338 cases were due to fireworks while two were due to fireworks ingestion.

Seventy-eight percent of the 338 cases were injuries due to blasts or burns (without amputation), three percent were from blasts (with amputation), and 25 percent were eye injuries.

The fireworks that caused the most injuries were kwitis (22 percent), luces (12 percent), piccolo (6 percent), boga (6 percent) and triangle (5 percent).

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III noted that both legal and illegal fireworks caused injuries, especially among the  5 to 9 years old age group.

Duque also advised victims of fireworks injuries to undertake immediate medical treatment at the nearest health facilities.

“We urge all those injured from fireworks to immediately consult the nearest health facility to prevent tetanus that can ultimately lead to death,” Duque said in a statement.

Despite the decrease, the DOH vowed to continue their Iwas Paputok Campaign to achieve zero fireworks-related injuries during the holidays. /ee