PHOTO: AFP
Although there were fewer fireworks-related injuries this year, at least 137 people were hurt in welcoming the new year with a bang, including 87 who were injured during the New Year’s Eve revelry.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the 137 were treated in hospitals for fireworks-related injuries from Dec. 21 until 6 a.m. of Jan. 1
Maria Rosario Vergeire, officer in charge of the DOH, said the authorities still expected the number to go up because the DOH will continue to monitor cases in 61 “sentinel hospitals” nationwide until Jan. 6.
Vergeire attributed the decline in fireworks-related injuries to the annual antifireworks campaign and reminders from local governments.
Still, data showed that boys from 10 to 14 years old sustained the most number of injuries.
The youngest was a one-year-old baby while the oldest was 70 years old, but the median age is 14 years old.
Based on reports from the sentinel hospitals, six of the latest 137 victims had to undergo amputation due to the severity of their injuries. Four out of five of those who were injured from firecrackers were male.
By age group, the DOH said boys 10 to 14 years old were the most affected group from fireworks-related injuries mostly to the hand or eye.
The illegal, makeshift cannon-like “boga” and the popular skyrocket-like “kwitis” were the most common cause of fireworks-related injury, based on the latest data.
But a substantial proportion, or 48 percent, of injuries were caused by legally allowed fireworks, led by kwitis and “whistlebomb.”
One injury occurred in a designated area for community fireworks display and about half of those injured were merely watching or standing near lighted fireworks or firecrackers.
Injuries requiring amputation were also fewer this year, compared to 18 amputations performed last year. —WITH REPORTS FROM MA. APRIL MIER-MANJARES, ARMAND GALANG, VILLAMOR VISAYA JR., VINCENT CABREZA, DELFIN T. MALLARI JR. AND MADONNA T. VIROLA INQ
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