Fireworks-related injuries climb to 75 ahead of New Year

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday registered 23 additional fireworks-related injuries, bringing the total number of victims to 75 even before the New Year's Eve celebrations.

The newly reported fireworks victims all suffered injuries at home and along streets, with 14 of them involved in the use of illegal fireworks, based on the latest surveillance report of DOH from 6 a.m. of Dec. 26 to 5:59 a.m. of Dec. 27.

Their ages also ranged from 6 to 55, with a median age of 12. Most of the victims are males.

The new cases included two new amputations of fingers, both involving the illegal pla-pla lit by male teenagers.

Clarification

The DOH said one of the amputation cases recorded Tuesday was "misreported," thus the total number of amputations this holiday season stands at six.

Of all the 75 fireworks-related injuries, six out of every ten cases came from the National Capital Region (30 cases).

It was followed by Central Luzon with nine cases, and the Ilocos Region with six cases.

Ninety-six percent of the incidents also happened at home and along the streets, mostly by males with active involvement.

Illegal fireworks were also to blame for about six out of every 10 cases.

The DOH stressed that fireworks are not toys that should be played by children.

"They may be nice to see, but are deadly to hold. Parents should give the gift of complete hands and fingers to their children. Fathers and older brothers should set an example for the young men in their family," the agency added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News