DOH Reports 35% Decrease in Fireworks Injury

The Department of Health (DOH) today reported a 35% decrease in fireworks-related injuries but cautioned the public that these numbers may still increase due to late consultation. There was no case of fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury, and death reported.

From 21 December 2019 to 1 January 2020, 164 fireworks-related injuries were reported, 87 cases lower than the 251 cases reported last year (249 firework related injuries and 2 cases of fireworks ingestion). The number of cases this year is 71% lower than the five-year average (2014-2018) of 403 cases.

“We were able to reduce cases by as much as 35%, this is indeed a welcome development but we will not stop until we achieve zero firework related injuries. We will build on the gains this year to ensure that the next holidays will be safer for every Filipino,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque said. He added that those injured should immediately have their consult at the nearest health facility for proper health management and to avoid fatal complications like tetanus.

Most of the cases came from the National Capital Region (84), CALABARZON (13), Ilocos Region (12), Central Luzon (11), Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas (10 cases each).

For National Capital Region, most cases came from Manila (27), Quezon City (19), Mandaluyong (9), Marikina and Las Piñas (7 cases each). Overall, NCR registered a 16% decrease in the number of injuries compared to last year.

Males comprised 70% of all injuries. Ages of cases ranged from one to 71 years. One hundred four (63%) injuries were among those aged under 15 years.

Top fireworks causing injuries were kwitis (33 cases), luces (19), fountain (18) and piccolo (13). Most injuries were blast/burn injuries without amputation (71%), eye injuries (26%), and blast/burn requiring amputation (4%).

About 55% of all injuries occurred at the streets while 43% cases were sustained at home. Most injured body parts were hands (32%), eyes (26%), head (13%), legs (11%) and forearm/arm (9%).

Legal fireworks resulted to 59% of all injuries, illegal fireworks (32%) and unknown fireworks (10%).

“I urge everyone to remain vigilant of their surroundings to avoid firework related injuries. Safely clean up firework debris and dispose of them properly. Also refrain from picking and lighting undischarged fireworks. Let us stay vigilant and safe these coming days” the Health Chief concluded. (DOH PR)