DOH: Firecracker-related injuries expected to increase in coming days

FIRECRACKER composite image from Inquirer file photos

MANILA, Philippines — Cases of firecracker-related injuries are expected to increase until the end of the Department of Health’s (DOH) monitoring period on January 6, according to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

In a press conference on Thursday, Herbosa said patients with minor or small wounds only turn up a week later, seeking medical assistance.

“That will increase because some don’t get treatment right away. Mothers would usually discover their kids’ wounds only two to three days later. In fact, in previous years, we only see tetanus cases a week later,” he said in Filipino.

READ: DOH: 534 firecracker – related injuries logged, so far

“Sometimes it’s just a small wound, it’s really just a band-aid type wound, but they didn’t go to the ER to get an anti-tetanus injection. I think these cases will turn up a week later and increase until January 6,” he added.

Although the cases may increase in the coming days, Herbosa said the DOH is not expecting it to exceed the figure recorded in 2024.

“I don’t expect it to increase a lot kasi (because) only a few lighted firecrackers during the New Year’s Eve,” he said.

Since December 22, the DOH has monitored 534 firecracker-related injuries — 9.8 percent lower compared to the 592 cases logged during the same period last year.

The DOH said most of the injuries were caused by illegal firecrackers such as kwitis, boga, 5-star, and whistle bombs.