DOH: Firecracker-related injuries climb to 24

Firecracker-related injuries continue to rise ahead of the New Year's Eve festivities as 11 more cases were recorded by the Department of Health (DOH), bringing the total number of cases to 24.

One of the latest victims is a sixyear-old boy from Tondo, Manila who reportedly ingested a firecracker on Christmas Day. The victim was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital.

The DOH said that four of the new cases are from the National Capital Region, three from Western Visayas, and one case each from Calabarzon, Bicol region, Central Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

The DOH said that the total number of cases that were recorded from 6 a.m. of Dec. 21 to 6 a.m. of Dec. 26 remains lower compared to last year. "This is 28 cases lower compared to the same reporting period of 2017," the health department noted.

The victims’ ages range from two to 49 years old. Majority of the victims are males.

The DOH said the firecrackers that were used by the casualties were ‘boga,’ ‘triangle,’ and ‘kwitis.’

Recently, advocacy group EcoWaste Coalition advised the public to lead by example by not buying and using firecrackers which are harmful to human, animal and ecological health.

The group also urged children not to keep firecrackers which are not toys.

“In lieu of firecrackers and fireworks, the EcoWaste Coalition encourages the public to opt for alternative noisemakers that can be made out of common household materials and recyclable junk,” the group stated.