December 29, 2024 | 4:41pm
ALBAY, Philippines — Firecracker-related injuries have increased to 142 nationwide, with the Department of Health (DOH) reporting 17 new cases on Sunday, December 29.
The latest tally is 35% higher than the 105 cases recorded during the same period last year.
The DOH also confirmed the first firecracker fatality this holiday season—a 78-year-old man from Central Luzon.
He succumbed to injuries caused by a Judas belt firecracker on December 27, which damaged his eye and thigh, with pre-existing health conditions compounding his situation during hospitalization.
The reported injuries, recorded from December 22 to 6 a.m. on December 29, were collected from 62 sentinel hospitals nationwide.
Of the 142 cases, 104 (73%) were caused by illegal fireworks such as boga, 5-star and piccolo, with 85 (60%) of victims actively using the devices.
Teens aged 19 and below accounted for most of the cases (115), while most victims (127) were male.
The DOH has repeatedly warned about the dangers of fireworks, such as severe injuries leading to death, amputations, blindness, hearing loss, lung damage and burns
It encouraged the public to resort to alternative noise-making devices, including horns, pots and pans, and to keep firework products out of children’s reach.
For those injured by firecrackers, the agency advised seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest health center or calling emergency hotlines 911 or 1555 for assistance.
The health department also reminded vendors that selling fireworks to minors is illegal.
Be the first to comment