Firework-related injuries climb to 730, says DOH

MANILA, Philippines—Two days after the New Year revelries, the number of firework-related injuries climbed to 730 on Saturday, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

The figure was 276 cases or 27 percent lower compared to the number of cases reported during the same period in 2013.

As of 6 a.m. of Jan. 3 firecracker injury registry update, 714 of the 730 reported cases were direct firecracker injuries, 12 by stray bullets and four firecracker ingestion.

The latest victim of firecracker ingestion was a 51-year-old man from Tuguegarao, Cagayan. His grandchild reportedly poured firecracker powder into his mouth while he was sleeping.

Most of the cases (396) were from the National Capital Region, followed by Region I with 68 cases.

Thirty-four of the cases had blast injury that required amputation, while 125 others sustained eye injury.

Majority of the cases involved males, 32 percent of whom were children 10 years old and below, the registry showed.

Most of the victims (62 percent) were active users or they were the ones directly involved in igniting the firecrackers.

Majority or 75 cases (67 percent) were caused by piccolo, according to the DOH firecracker injury registry, which started its monitoring of firework-related casualties on Dec. 21.

While the nationwide tally was lower compared to the same period in 2013, DOH still finds the trend unacceptable, especially on cases where injuries resulted to permanent consequences.

“Every life is important,” said acting health secretary Janette Loreto-Garin in a statement earlier.

“The lower number of cases only encourages DOH to intensify its campaign to stop the use of firecrackers in merry-making to welcome the New Year,” she said.

Malacañang on Friday said it was waiting for the Department of Health’s (DOH) formal recommendation on banning firecrackers in the country.