Firecracker injuries climb to 19

THE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, December 27, 2021, reported eight additional firecracker-related injuries to bring the total to 19.

Based on the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance Report, the DOH said 19 firecracker-related injuries have been recorded from December 21 to December 27 (6 am).

“As of 6 a.m. of December 27, a total of 19 fireworks-related injuries were reported,” said the DOH.

“These were 58-percent higher compared to 2020 (12 cases),” it added.

DOH said all cases were injuries due to fireworks, with 16 cases (84 percent) being males.

Five cases (26 percent) had blast/burn injury requiring amputation, nine cases (47 percent) had blast/burn injury not requiring amputation, and five cases (26 percent) had an eye injury.

It said a total of 11 cases (58 percent) were active users, while the remaining eight (42 percent) were passive cases.

Ten cases (53 percent) occurred at home, while eight cases (42 percent) occurred on the street, according to the DOH.

It said 16 cases (84 percent) were due to illegal fireworks, including six cases having been injured due to boga.

The DOH said there was no fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury or death reported. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)