The Department of Health (DOH) today declared a 68% decrease in fireworks-related injuries from December 21, 2017 to January 1, 2018 compared to the same period of previous year. This is also 77% lower than the five-year (2012-2016) average. Total number of cases for the period now reach 191.

There is no reported death, no case of fireworks ingestion and stray bullet injury.

Majority of cases came from the National Capital Region (115 cases, 60%), followed by Western Visayas (15). Central Luzon, CALABARZON, and Bicol Region all have 13 cases each. At the National Capital Region, Manila had the most (63 cases) number of cases, followed by Quezon City (14), Pasig City (11), and Valenzuela City (6).

Piccolo remains as the top fireworks causing injuries (94, 49%), followed by kwitis (14, 7%), unknown firecrackers (12, 6%), fountain (10, 5%), and boga (9, 5%).

Majority (160, 84%) of the cases were males. Age of cases ranged from 11 months to 69 years old. About 64% (123 cases) were active users and about 77% (148 cases) occurred in the streets.

Majority (162 cases, 85%) of the cases sustained blast injuries without amputation, 25 cases (13%) had eye injuries, while 7 (4%) had blast injuries with amputation.

The top anatomical sites of injury are hand (115, 60%), eye (25, 13%), head (23, 12%), forearm/arm (20, 10%), legs (13, 7%), and chest (10, 5%).

“Overall, the government’s campaign against fireworks has reduced the number of injuries. The DOH is grateful for the strong cooperation of our local government units and other government agencies for this success. We would also like to thank President Duterte for the passing of Executive Order No 28 which reinforced the efforts of the DOH and other concerned agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, and EcoWaste Coalition, among others.” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque concluded.