(SANTI SAN JUAN/MB PHOTO)
Fireworks-related injuries nationwide climbed to 720 cases during the recent holiday season, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday, Jan. 5.
The agency said the cases were recorded from Dec. 21 to Jan. 5, based on reports from 62 sentinel hospitals.
Data showed that 52 percent of those injured were 19 years old and below, while 48 percent were 20 years old and above, indicating that minors remained the most affected group.
According to the DOH, the total number of cases was 14 percent lower than the 834 injuries logged during the same monitoring period last year.
Despite the decline, the health department stressed that anyone who sustains burns or blast injuries from fireworks should immediately seek medical care.
The agency warned that untreated wounds may lead to serious infections, including tetanus.
Based on the DOH’s breakdown, the most common fireworks linked to injuries were kwitis, five-star firecrackers, whistle bombs, boga, and piccolo.