Over a hundred Filipinos suffered injuries due to fireworks, many of which were illegal, amid the celebration of New Year 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
This brought the total caseload recorded from December 22, 2024 to January 1, 2025 to 340 — 34% lower than the 519 cases recorded during the same period last year.
Of the 340 cases, 141 were logged between 6 a.m. of December 31, 2024 to 5:59 a.m. of January 1, 2025. This also translated to a 64% decline compared to the cases recorded on the first day of 2024.
Eleven were also added in today’s tally as part of the late reporting.
Fifty-nine percent (202 cases) were injuries caused by illegal firecrackers such as Boga, 5-Star, and Piccolo. One hundred eighty-six victims (54.7%) were also found actively using the fireworks when the accident happened.
A big portion of the victims (239 cases) were also aged 19 and below, and most of them were male (299 cases).
In Tondo Medical Center, 24 fireworks-related injuries were recorded since December 21, but many of them were brought to the hospital at midnight amid the New Year festivities, based on an Unang Balita report of Mariz Umali.
Eighty-three cases, meanwhile, were logged at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center since December 21. Of them, 30 were tagged with an “unknown” firework that caused the injury, based on a report of GMA Integrated News’ Bam Alegre.
The DOH reminded the public not to pick up fireworks that didn’t explode and instead pour water over them. Surroundings should also be cleaned after the festivities.
In giving first aid to those who were injured due to fireworks, the DOH advised the following:
- Do not ignore even a small wound
- Immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water
- Cover the wound with sterilized gauze, bandage, or clean cloth
- Press the wounded part to stop the bleeding
Meanwhile, those who were injured in the eye can do the following:
- Flush the affected eye with clean and warm water. Do not use cold water
- Do not rub or scratch the affected eye
- Cover the affected eye with a clean cloth or gauze
- Go immediately to an emergency room to receive a tetanus shot
In case someone swallowed a firecracker, here’s what to do:
- Do not force the victim to vomit
- Feed the victim with raw egg whites: 6-8 pieces for a child, and 8-12 pieces for adults
Those who get hurt due to firecrackers should immediately go to the nearest health center or call 911, the emergency hotline, or 1555 which is the DOH emergency hotline for help. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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