MANILA — The number of fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) has risen to 286 after the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reported 52 more cases recorded in various regions of the country from 6 a.m. of January 2 until 5:59 a.m. of January 3.
Based on reports sent by 60 sentinel hospitals, 27 cases were recorded in the National Capital Region; five each in the Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Central Luzon; three each in the Ilocos region, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City), and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon); and one in the Davao region.
The victims of FWRI cases mostly involved males aged between two and 76 years.
Since it began its surveillance on December 21, the DOH has also recorded two cases of firecracker ingestion.
Of the total figure, some 152 occurred on the streets; 124 took place at home; nine in other places; and three in fireworks designated areas.
A total of 220 persons suffered from blasts or burns, while 10 suffered from blasts that resulted in amputation. The remaining 76 persons suffered from eye injuries.
The DOH said the current FWRI statistics is 43 percent less than the same period last year and 66 percent lower than the five-year average.
The fireworks that caused the most injuries were the Kwitis with 65 cases; Luces with 29; Piccolo with 20; Boga with 18 cases; Five Star with 16 cases; and Triangle with seven cases.
Executive Order No. 28, issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, has confined the use of firecrackers to community fireworks display areas to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties.
The DOH has also warned the public against illegal fireworks, such as Watusi, Piccolo, Atomic Triangle, large Judas Belt, large Bawang, Pillbox, Boga, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Coke-in-can, Kwitom, Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Pla-pla, giant Whistle Bomb, Kabasi, and other unlabeled and imported firecrackers.