DOH: Injuries related to firecrackers, fireworks rise to 12

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 24) – A week before New Year’s Eve, the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported four new injuries related to firecrackers and fireworks, bringing the total to 12.  

Two of the injured were boys aged 11 and 17 who played with piccolo and boga—a cannon made of plastic piping—both of which are illegal firecrackers.

The other two were a 23-year-old male and 49-year-old female who used kwitis fireworks, which are legal and regulated.

The first four injuries related to firecrackers and fireworks were reported on Dec. 22, when the DOH began monitoring. Another four were recorded on Dec. 23. These eight cases were all boys aged six to thirteen.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos have both reiterated their call to ban the sale, distribution, and use of fireworks and firecrackers to reduce injuries.

Quezon City and Davao City have existing ordinances banning the use of fireworks.

The DOH urged Filipinos instead to organize community-run fireworks displays by licensed individuals to safely celebrate the holidays.

For last year's holiday season, the DOH said it recorded a total of 277 firecracker-related injuries as of Jan. 4, 2023.