MANILA, Philippines — The number of people who sustained fireworks-related injuries through the years has lowered over the past ten years, the Philippine National Police – Firearms and Explosive Office (PNP-FEO) reported on Wednesday.
Based on FEO’s data, police recorded 306 cases of injuries, including one who was hit by a stray bullet, during New Year festivities for this year.
Although this data is higher than the ones recorded during the height of the pandemic in 2021 and 2022, FEO data showed that it is much lower compared to the 904 cases recorded in 2013.
Meanwhile, the lowest cases were recorded in 2021, with 115 injuries, and in 2022, with a total of 188 fireworks-related injuries.
FEO Explosive Management Division chief Colonel Al Abanales said they have already begun inspecting firecracker stores to prevent the increase of these cases and the selling of illegal fireworks.
Abanales said they are supervising a team inspecting these stores and the police force’s regional civil security nationwide.
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