Fireworks-related injuries post 50% increase, says DOH

FILE PHOTO: In this January 1, 2016, photo, a reveler grimaces while being treated at a hospital after being injured in a firecracker explosion while celebrating the New Year in Manila, Philippines. AP Photo/Linus Escandor II

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) recorded a 50 percent rise in fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) from December 21, 2023, to January 5, 2024, compared to its previous surveillance period.

In its final report on FWRIs for the last Christmas and New Year holidays, the DOH said 609 individuals were hurt due to firecrackers which is almost twice the 307 cases logged during the surveillance cycle from December 21, 2022, to January 5, 2023.

The 609 included the nine more FWRIs posted from 6 a.m. on January 5 to 5:59 a.m. on January 6.

“The new cases range from 8 to 55 years old (median age: 25) with nearly seven out of 10 (6, 67%) cases being males. Eighty-nine percent (8, 89%) of these new cases occurred at home and in the streets. The majority (7, 78%) of cases were due to LEGAL fireworks. Four (44%) individuals were hospitalized due to their injuries,” the DOH said in its report.

It noted that 601 of the total FWRIs were due to firecrackers while one was due to watusi ingestion. Seven of them were stray bullet injuries (SBIs).

The DOH, however, said that reported SBIs are still being verified. It also said that monitoring for tetanus cases due to fireworks will continue until January 25.

READ: DOH reports another fireworks fatality,15 hurt

Data showed that most of the FRWIs were from Metro Manila or the National Capital Region (320, 52 percent), followed by the Ilocos Region (61, 10 percent), Calabarzon (49, 8 percent), and Central Luzon (43, 7 percent).

It likewise indicated that 96 percent of the sum FWRI happened at home and in the streets, and mostly involved males.

Photo courtesy of DOH

The DOH further said that 33 individuals or five percent suffered blasts or burns with amputation; 447 or 74 percent, blasts or burns without amputation; 155 or 26 percent, eye injuries (including one confirmed blindness); and two, hearing loss.

READ: PNP: 1 dead, 1 hurt due to stray bullets on New Year’s eve

But the agency clarified that the count per type of injury could not be categorical because some patients had multiple wounds.

The DOH said 64 percent of FWRIs were caused by (in descending order) kwitis, 5-star, pla-pla, luces, whistle bomb, boga, and fountain.

Illegal fireworks 5-star, pla-pla, and boga were to blame for 225 (37 percent) of the total FWRIs during the latest surveillance period, it pointed out.