Few days before the celebration of the New Year, the number of firecracker-related injuries remains lower compared to last year.
According to the Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction 2017 Report No. 9 of the Department of Health (DOH), a total of 77 firecracker-related injuries was recorded from 6 a.m. of December 21 to 6 a.m. of December 30.
“This is 114 cases [or 60 percent] lower than the five-year average and 54 cases [or 41 percent] lower than the same time period last year,” the DOH noted.
Earlier, Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo disclosed that a 50 percent drop in the number of firecracker-related injuries is expected this coming holidays because of the full implementation of the nationwide firecrackers ban.
Under the Executive Order no. 28, the use of firecrackers shall be limited to community fireworks displays which must be under supervision of a trained individual. On the other hand, pyrotechnic devices may still be used outside community fireworks display areas.
As of press time, there was still no reported case of fireworks ingestion, as well as stray bullet injury.
In addition, there was no recorded death from firecrackers and fireworks. (Charina Clarisse L. Echaluce)
