4 more cases raise firecracker injuries to 23

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has reported four new cases of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) on Tuesday, pushing the total tally to 23.

“These were 92 percent higher compared to 2020 with 12 cases and 64 percent lower than the five-year average of 65 cases during the same period,” the DOH said in its latest report.

The agency’s data showed that all cases were injuries due to fireworks – nine cases or 39 percent occurred in Western Visayas while the rest of the regions reported zero to three cases only.

A total of 19 cases or 83 percent were males ages 6 to 34 years old.

“Seven cases or 30 percent had blast or burn injury requiring amputation, 11 cases or 48 percent had blast or burn injury not requiring amputation and six cases or 26 percent had an eye injury. One case or 4 percent had sustained multiple types of injuries,” the DOH said.

It also noted that 15 cases or 65 percent were active users.

Around 11 cases or 48 percent occurred at home while eight or 42 percent transpired on the streets.

Among the fireworks involved boga, which logged the highest number of cases with seven.

It is followed by five-star with three cases; piccolo with three; triangle, two; whistle bomb, two; and baby rocket, one.

Meantime, other unlabeled or imported firecrackers logged five cases.

There were no reports of fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury or death.

Of the 61 DOH sentinel hospitals, 55 or 90 percent have submitted an injury or zero report before the cut-off time.