Firework-related injuries nationwide have climbed to 57 cases, including two children who lost fingers in separate firecracker explosions, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Saturday, Dec. 27.

DOH Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Director Tina Marasigan said an eight-year-old child lost his index finger and thumb after a whistle bomb exploded, while a 16-year-old also suffered finger amputations after being injured by a five star firecracker.

“Dalawang bata po ang nagtamo ng paso at naputulan pa ng daliri sa magkahiwalay na insidente nang masabugan ng paputok—hintuturo at hinlalaki ang nalagas mula sa isang walong taong gulang na bata nang masabugan ng whistle bomb habang dalawang daliri rin ang naputol sa labing-anim na taong gulang na bata nang masabugan ng five star (Two children suffered burns and lost fingers in separate incidents caused by firecracker explosions—an eight-year-old lost his index finger and thumb after a whistle bomb exploded, while a 16-year-old also had two fingers amputated after being injured by a five star),” she said during a DOH radio program.

Based on the DOH’s latest monitoring, 35 of the 57 firework-related injuries involved minors, with all victims sustaining multiple injuries or burns to different parts of the body.

“Sa huling tala ng Department of Health, umabot na sa 57 ang kaso ng firework-related injuries kung saan 35 ang menor de edad. Lahat ng nasabugan ng paputok ay nagtamo ng multiple injury o iba’t ibang sugat o paso sa iba’t ibang parte ng katawan (In the latest Department of Health tally, firework-related injuries have reached 57 cases, with 35 involving minors. All victims sustained multiple injuries or various wounds or burns on different parts of the body),” she said.

While the number of cases is lower compared with the same period last year, the DOH warned that firecrackers remain dangerous, whether sold legally or illegally.

“Kahit mas mababa man ng 49 percent ang naitalang kaso ng DOH kumpara sa 112 na kaso sa parehong petsa noong 2024, pinapaalala pa rin ng kagawaran na mapanganib ang paputok, ilegal man o legal na ibinebenta (Even if the DOH recorded 49 percent fewer cases compared with the 112 cases logged on the same date in 2024, the department continues to remind the public that firecrackers are dangerous, whether illegally or legally sold),” the DOH official said.

In addition, Marasigan said that five star firecrackers were the leading cause of injuries, followed by kwitis, boga, and triangle.

“Five star ang pangunahing sanhi ng pinsala na sinundan ng kwitis, boga, at triangle (Five star was the leading cause of injuries, followed by kwitis, boga, and triangle).”

The health department noted that smoke from firecrackers poses a higher asthma risk to children and senior citizens.