Firecracker-related injuries surpass 2018 tally: DOH

December 30, 2019

Firecracker-related injuries this year have exceeded 2018 with the Department of Health (DOH) recording over 50 cases as of December 30.

Based on the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance 2019 Report No. 9 Monday, there are 54 firecracker-related injuries from December 21 to December 30.

"This year's cases is four (eight percent) cases higher when compared to the same time period in 2018," said the DOH report.

A second case of amputation was reported after a 13-year-old boy from Aliasa, Nueva Ecija was injured after using an illegal firework known as Cylinder on Sunday. His little and ring fingers were amputated.

There are also 40 blast and burn injuries not requiring amputation, and 14 eye injuries.

Illegal firecrackers piccolo and boga are the most common causes of injuries with eight and six, respectively.

Five cases were caused by Kwitis, followed by 5-star, luces, and whistle bomb with  four each.

The National Capital Region had the most injuries with 21; followed by the Ilocos Region and Central Visayas with six each. DMS