The latest tally of firecracker-related injuries has climbed to 211 after the Department of Health (DOH) logged 74 additional cases on Sunday, Jan. 1.

In an advisory released on Monday, Jan. 2, DOH stressed that the injuries were reported from 61 DOH sentinel hospitals in the country from Dec. 21, 2022 to Jan. 1, 2023.
“Sa kasalukuyan, ang bilang ng mga kaso ng pinsala dulot ng paputok ay 211 na. mas mataas ng labing-anim na porsyento kumpara sa naitala noong nakaraang taon sa sakop na petsa (Currently, the number of firecracker-related injuries is 211. This is 16 percent higher compared to what was recorded last year in the covered date),” said DOH.
Kwitis - a legal firework – was named as the most common root of injury, causing 21 percent of the total number of injuries reported. This was followed by boga (13 percent), 5-star (nine percent), and fountain (6 percent).
There were no reported injuries related to firework ingestion nor stray bullets.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila reported the most number of cases. 79 percent of these injured patients were male with ages ranging from 11 months to 80 years.
“36 were allegedly intoxicated with alcohol at the time of injury. 21 cases were hospitalized while two were referred to other hospitals for further management. No death was reported,” DOH’s report read.
The public, on the other hand, was told to avoid picking up remnants of fireworks with bare hands. Children were strongly advised not to play with firecrackers that can be found on the road.
An injured person, according to the DOH, must immediately be brought to the nearest health facility to be given proper treatment.