MANILA, Philippines — At least 340 Filipinos sustained injuries due to fireworks as of New Year’s Day, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Wednesday, January 1.
The DOH said most of the injuries—202 cases or 59%—were caused by illegal fireworks such as *boga*, 5-star and piccolo. Of these cases, 186 (54.7%) involved the active use of fireworks.
The latest tally marks an increase of 152 cases from December 31’s total of 188. Of the newly reported cases, 141 occurred on January 1, while the remaining 11 were late reports from December 31, 2024.
Children and teenagers made up the majority of victims, with 239 cases involving individuals aged 19 years old and below. The remaining 101 victims were adults over the age of 19.
The DOH also noted that most victims were male—299 out of the total 340 cases—while only 41 were female.
Despite this year’s injuries, the current total is still lower than last year’s figure for the same date. On January 1, 2024, there were 519 reported cases of fireworks-related injuries.
Caution advised. The DOH has consistently urged the public to avoid using fireworks during the holiday season, recommending safer alternatives such as horns.
Fireworks pose serious risks, including eye injuries, burns and even dismemberment, according to the health agency.
For those injured by fireworks, the DOH advised seeking immediate medical attention.
For individuals who still choose to use fireworks, the agency recommended pouring water on used fireworks to prevent accidental explosions and avoiding handling unexploded fireworks.
As New Year’s celebrations wind down, citizens are encouraged to clean their surroundings to ensure no leftover powder or fireworks remain. Parents are also reminded to closely monitor their children, as minors account for the majority of firework-related injuries.
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