Firecracker-related injuries now at 170

MANILA, Philippines - The number of firecracker-related injuries rose to 170 on Saturday as firecracker users increased to 8 percent more this year compared to 2012, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In his Twitter account, DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said as of 6 a.m. on Dec. 28, firework-related injuries stood at 164. There was one recorded case of firecracker ingestion while there were five victims of stray bullets.

Out of the total 164 cases, 101 or 62 percent were caused by the small firecracker Piccolo.

"DOH urges (the Philippine National Police) on crackdown on Piccolo and other banned fireworks. Citizens report Piccolo openly sold along Libertad, Pasay near police station," he said.

Tayag added that in Quezon City, the most dangerous barangays for fireworks-related injuries are Batasan Hills, Commonwealth, Holy Spirit, Payatas, Sto. Domingo and Krus na Ligas.

In Manila, the most dangerous areas include District 2 Barangay 147-267 East Tondo, District 1 Barangay 1-146 West Tondo, District 3 Barangay 268-394, Binondo, Quiapo, San Nicolas and Sta. Cruz.