LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Department of Health (DOH)-Bicol has recorded eight cases of firecracker-related injuries (FWRI) as of Sunday, Dec. 28.
Camarines Sur has six cases and Albay and Catanduanes has one case each.
Most of the injured were males, with ages ranging from seven- to 50-years-old.
The DOH-Bicol said majority of incidents occurred on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
In Camarines Sur, cases were reported in Goa, Pili, Naga City, Milaor, Calabanga, and Iriga City.
Injuries included blast and burn injuries to the hands, head, abdomen, forearm, and face, as well as one eye injury.
One patient, a 40-year-old male from Goa, sustained a blast and burn injury to the lower lip caused by a “Kwitis” and was admitted at the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City.
In Albay, a 25-year-old male from Daraga town suffered a blast and burn injury to the left hand after also using Kwitis and was treated at the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (BRHMC) in Legazpi City.
In Catanduanes, a 21-year-old male from San Andres town sustained a blast and burn injury to the right hand due to Kwitis.
He was treated at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) in Virac but refused hospital admission.
Kwitis topped the most cases with four and one case each for Piccolo, Five Star, Boga (improvised cannon), and one unidentified firecracker.
No fatalities were recorded and only one patient required hospital admission. Seven cases were managed in an outpatient basis.
As New Year approached, DOH-Bicol renewed its call for the public to prioritize safety and avoid firecracker-related accidents.
The agency advised residents to clean surroundings safely and avoid picking up unexploded firecrackers from the streets; closely supervise children at all times; seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility in case of injury, and avoid using firecrackers altogether to ensure a safe and healthy New Year.