DOH records 163 firecracker injuries before New Year’s Eve

MANILA, Philippines — Two days before the New Year’s Eve celebration, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 163 firecracker-related injuries all over the country.

Latest data from the health department showed a total of 163 firecracker-related injuries were recorded from Dec. 22 until yesterday morning from 62 sentinel hospitals.

This is 44 percent higher than the 113 total cases logged during the same period last year.

Of the total cases, 135 victims were aged 19 years old and below while 28 were aged 20 years old and above.

It also noted that 148 of the victims are males and 15 are females.

The health department added that 118 or 72 percent of the cases were caused by illegal firecrackers that included boga, five-star and piccolo.

There were also 106 or 65 percent of victims considered active users of firecrackers.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City’s medical center registered its fourth victim of a firecracker-related injury as the city’s police intensified the drive against illegal sales of prohibited and dangerous firecrackers ahead of New Year’s celebration.

Data provided by the Zamboanga City Medical Center showed the latest victim was a 13-year-old boy who sustained injuries on his head and left eye from a “baby rocket” blast last Sunday in Barangay Sta. Catalina.

The health authorities reported that in a week’s span, it registered victims of firecrackers and the youngest among them was a six-year-old boy injured in the right eye playing with a boga and an eight-year-old boy who used a piccolo.

The DOH regional office reported it registered 60 firework-related injuries during the 2024 revelry in Zamboanga Peninsula, prompting it to impose code white in all the state-run hospitals.

The agency appealed to residents against using prohibited firecrackers and called the local government for the re-imposition of the total ban on the firecrackers if only to prevent any injury during the New Year’s revelry.

Police authorities have intensified the apprehension against the illegal sale of prohibited firecrackers following the national directives and existing firecracker ban ordinance, said Lt. Col. Areston Limos, Zamboanga City Police Office deputy chief for administration.

However, the Zamboanga police observed peddlers were increasing in the discreet sale of hazardous firecrackers on streets and even through online stores after the total firecracker ban ordinance was amended and allowed a controlled sale and operation of pyrotechnics.

The DOH again reminded the public to avoid using firecrackers and instead use horns and other alternative noisemakers like pots, pans and musical instruments to make noise for a safer New Year celebration.

“In cases of injury, immediately proceed to the nearest health center or call 911 or 1555 for immediate attention,” said the DOH.

Fireworks enthusiasts are also reminded to exercise safety measures in lighting up fireworks, igniting firecrackers and consider the health situations of pets for the New Year revelries.

Joven Ong, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnic Regulatory Board of Bulacan and the Philippine Fireworks Association, is reiterating his reminders to pet lovers to keep their pets indoors during the New Year revelries and advised them to close all their windows and play music to calm their pets down.

He also advised pet owners to put a cap on their pet’s heads to cover their ears.

On the other hand, the Animal Kingdom Foundation, on its Facebook page, advised animal owners to be on alert and see to it that their pets are protected and secured during the New Year revelries.

Pet owners are also reminded that their animals should not eat unhealthy food.

Meanwhile, Ong reminded New Year revelers of safety measures for using and handling fireworks and pyrotechnic devices.

He said fireworks enthusiasts are advised to use only quality products that have the Philippine Standard marks of the Bureau of Product Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry.

They are also advised to read carefully the warnings and instructions on the labels of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices.

New Year revelers are also reminded to avoid igniting firecrackers when under the influence of liquor and never let minors use these products.

After the revelries, Ong reminded the public to clean the areas used in the New Year revelries and douse pyrotechnics with water.

He also reminded parents to not let children pick up unexploded firecracker products that may later explode. — Roel Pareño, Ramon Efren Lazaro