Firecracker-related injuries surpass 2019: DOH

January 3, 2020

The number of firecracker-related injuries has surpassed 2019 data, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday. 

Based on the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance 2019 Report No. 13, there are now 340 firecracker-related injuries reported as of 6 am on January 3. 

"This year's cases are 15 cases (5 percent) increase when compared to the same time period in 2018 (325)," said the DOH.

The DOH also reported the first case of fireworks ingestion in the person of a two-year old girl from Manila. 

This, the report said, is after her sibling put luces into her mouth last December 31.

She was brought to the UST Hospital, where she was observed and sent home later. 

Of those injured, the DOH said 245 sustained blast or burn injuries not requiring amputation, 84 eye injuries, and 14 blast or burn injuries requiring amputation. 

Hands remain the most injured body part with 114; followed by eyes with 84; and head with 42.

Legal fireworks kwitis (76), luces (38), and fountain (35) were found to be the top causes of injuries. Previous topnotcher piccolo, an illegal firecracker, accounted for 19 cases. 

Half of the injuries happened in the National Capital Region with 169; followed by Western Visayas with 36; Ilocos with 29; and Calabarzon with 23.

In Metro Manila, most of the cases were from Manila (53); followed by Quezon City (34); and Caloocan City (12).

Seven in 10 victims of firecrackers were males with 246 (72 percent). DMS