188 Injured Due to Firecrackers

The last day of 2024 saw 188 persons injured due to firecrackers, the Department of Health reported.

- By RHODINA VILLANUEVA

Latest data from 62 sentinel hospitals of the DOH showed a total of 188 firecracker-related injuries recorded from Dec. 22 to yesterday morning.

This is 52 percent higher than the 124 total cases logged during the same period last year.

The DOH said 25 additional cases it monitored yesterday brought to 188 the total firecracker-related injuries.

Of the total cases, 152 victims are 19 years old and below while 36 are 20 years old and above.

It also noted that 172 of the victims are males and 16 are females.

The health department added that 136 or 72 percent were caused by illegal firecrackers that included boga, five-star and piccolo.

There were also 123 or 65 percent of victims that were active users of firecrackers.

The department again reminded the public to avoid using firecrackers.

It encouraged New Year revelers to use horns, pots and pans and musical instruments to make noise to welcome the New Year.

“In case of injury, immediately proceed to the nearest health center or call 911 (emergency hotline) or 1555 (DOH emergency) for immediate medical attention,” the DOH said.

535,960 illegal firecrackers confiscated

Police units have confiscated at least 535,960 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices across the country ahead of the New Year revelry, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, told reporters in a message on Viber the seized firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices have a combined value of P2.52 million.

Latest data from the PNP showed at least 172 people were injured due to firecrackers since Dec. 16.

Among the items seized were about 70,000 pieces of boga or improvised cannons, which remains an option for people to celebrate the New Year even if the government prohibited the device due to its destructive effects.