DOH reports 11 more firecracker-related injuries

INQUIRER.net file photo

With the New Year celebration barely a day away, 11 more cases of firecracker-related injuries have been reported as of Friday morning.

This brings the total of such injuries to 72 cases, which the Department of Health (DOH) said is 59 percent lower than the average for the past five years, and 40 percent lower than the same period last year.

Metro Manila had the most number of cases at 32 incidents, followed by Western Visayas with nine cases and the Bicol region with eight cases.

In Metro Manila, Manila had the highest number of cases at 21, followed by Mandaluyong City and Quezon City with four cases each.

In its latest Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction 2017 report, the DOH noted that there were no incidents of fireworks ingestion and stray bullet injuries so far.

Out of the 72 cases so far, 69 or 96 percent were males. Fifty-five of the cases or 76 percent were active users, while 54 incidents happened on the streets.

The DOH added that the top injury sites were the hands (68 percent), the eyes (15 percent) and the head (10 percent).

Illegal fireworks were also the primary culprit for 52 of the cases, with 44 of the injuries caused by the piccolo, an illegal but popular firework among children.

Meanwhile, the DOH advised parents and caregivers to be more vigilant and ensure that their children are unable to buy or use firecrackers and fireworks for the New Year festivities.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III noted that the cases tend to go higher as the year-end celebrations approach.

Filipinos usually welcome the New Year with firecrackers and fireworks in the belief that the loud noises will drive away evil spirits.

“It is best to coordinate with local officials in your barangay to identify the designated public fireworks display in your area to avoid injuries arising from exploding fireworks or firecrackers,” he said in a statement.

It may be recalled that President Duterte’s executive order no. 2017 limits the use of firecrackers to community fireworks displays to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties. /jpv

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