Firecracker injuries nearly double from 2020

FIRECRACKER-related injuries reported for 2021 have nearly doubled as compared those recorded in 2020, said the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, December 28.

In its Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance Report, the DOH said 23 firecracker-related injuries have been recorded from December 21 to December 28.

“As of 6 a.m. December 28, a total of 23 fireworks-related injuries were reported,” said the DOH. “These were 92 percent higher compared to 2020 (12 cases).”

It added that all cases were injuries due to fireworks, with 19 cases (83 percent) involving males.

Seven cases (30 percent) had blast/burn injury requiring amputation, 11 cases (48 percent) had blast/burn injury not requiring amputation, and six cases (26 percent) had an eye injury.

The DOH said a total of 15 cases (65 percent) were active users, while the remaining eight (35 percent) are passive cases.

Eleven cases (48 percent) occurred at home, while eight cases (42 percent) occurred in the street, according to the DOH.

It said that 20 (87 percent) cases were due to illegal fireworks, including seven cases (30 percent) having been injured due to boga.

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