Philippine health authorities report a significant number of firecracker-related injuries despite a decrease from the previous year. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urges caution and highlights the preventable nature of these injuries.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported on Thursday, January 2, 2025, that the number of firecracker-related injuries recorded during the New Year revelry welcoming 2025 has jumped to over 500 cases. In a press conference, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that 534 firework-related injuries were recorded nationwide from December 22, 2024 to January 2, 2025 (6 a.m.). 'This is actually a decrease. In 2024, there were 592 cases. This is 9.8 percent lower injuries,' said Herbosa.
'It's actually good news since it went down. But it would be better if there are zero injuries,' he added. In the last 24 hours, there were a total of 194 newly reported firecracker-related injuries. 'There will still be more cases reported until January 6. But we expect them to be lower. We don't expect cases to increase a lot,' said Herbosa. Aside from the injuries, the health chief reported that there is also one confirmed death due to firecrackers. He said this is the 78-year-old male from Nueva Ecija who died after sustaining multiple injuries from the blast of Judas Belt. 'One death is too many. Firecracker-related injury is a preventable death. If one didn't use firecrackers or others didn't use firecrackers, there won't be any deaths,' said Herbosa. He said there are also three more reported deaths due to firecrackers but are still under validation. 'We are not yet sure if they are firecracker-related. But the first case has been confirmed,' said Herbosa. Records show that the top causes of injuries are kwitis, boga, 5-star, and whistle bomb. 'Most of the injuries were caused by illegal firecrackers,' noted the official. He also noted that many of the injuries involved the youth, with 322 cases involving those aged 19 years old and below, while 212 cases involved those aged 20 years old and above. 'Majority of those reported cases are young ones,' said Herbos
FIRECRACKERS INJURIES NEW YEAR PHILIPPINES HEALTH
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