The Department of Health yesterday reported that 43 persons have been injured by firecrackers as New Year’s Eve approaches.
The figure is 51 percent lower compared to the same period last year, and 75 percent lower than the five-year average, the DoH noted.
Three new cases of fireworks-related injuries were reported, from the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, and Bicol region.
The D0H said 41 injuries were due to exploding fireworks while the remaining two cases were fireworks ingestion.
The cases of fireworks ingestion involved a three-year-old girl from Valenzuela City last Dec. 21; and a six-year-old boy from Tondo, Manila on Christmas Day. Both of them were discharged from the hospital.
Majority of the victim were males. The youngest victim was two-years-old and the oldest is 69-years-old, the DoH said.
Twenty-four individuals sustained blast injuries without amputation, five sustained blast injuries that resulted to the amputation of the affected limbs, while 14 sustained eye injuries.
“Boga,” which is listed as an illegal firecracker caused 12 injuries. Other fireworks that caused injuries were “Kwitis,” “Triangle,” “Piccolo,” “Baby Rocket,” “Bawang,” “Camara,” and “Luces.” (Analou de Vera)
