CALOOCAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- The National Capital Region (NCR) over the weekend has registered an 88 percent decrease in the number of fireworks and pyrotechnics-related injuries during the 2021 New Year's eve revelry compared to the previous year.
The Department of Health (DOH) said in NCR, Manila had the most number of injuries with 12 cases, followed by Caloocan with four cases, Pasig and Quezon City with two cases each, and Malabon and Marikina with one case each.
The DOH also recorded an 89 percent reduction in fireworks-related injuries for the whole country compared to the Philippines' previous five-year average (2015-2019).
The DOH said a total of 50 revelry-related injuries from Dec. 21, 2020 to Jan. 1, 2021, with no cases of firework ingestion and deaths.
Of the 50 injuries, 49 were fireworks-related injuries and one was a stray bullet injury. This is 85 percent lower than the 340 total cases reported last year.
Of the total cases nationwide, however, the National Capital Region (NCR) reported the highest number with 22 cases, followed by CALABARZON with five cases, and Ilocos Region, Bicol, and Western Visayas with four cases each.
Ages of injuries ranged from four to 53 years old wherein the most affected age group is between 10 to 14 years old. Majority of the injuries were males (71 percent) and mostly with passive involvement. Most injuries occurred equally in the streets and inside homes (49 percent each), while one injury happened in a neighbor’s house.
The top anatomical sites of injuries were the eye (33 percent), hand (24 percent), forearm/arm (16 percent), head (12 percent), and neck (10 percent). Majority of the injuries were blast injuries not requiring amputation (67 percent), while 2 percent were blast injuries requiring amputation.
Top fireworks causing injuries were Kwitis (29 percent), Boga (8 percent), 5-Star (8 percent), Fountain (8 percent), and Triangle (8 percent). Legal fireworks caused 55 percent of all injuries while illegal fireworks at 37 percent. Let us be reminded that fireworks, whether legal or illegal, are still dangerous not only to our safety but also to the environment.
The significant reduction in the total number of recorded cases may be attributed to the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting people's willingness and ability to celebrate through the use of fireworks. It may also be attributed to the strengthened initiatives of our local government units in banning firecrackers and the efforts of the national government agencies and stakeholders through the Iwas Paputok campaign.
“The lower numbers we achieved this year is a welcome development, but we will not stop until we achieve zero firework-related injuries and ensure that the next holidays will be safer for every Filipino,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque said.
“We have also observed that there was a change of behavior of Filipinos towards health. Due to the pandemic, the Filipinos became more aware and involved in ensuring the health and safety of their family and community. This decrease is also the success of all the families who follow the government’s prescribed protocols and instill good values in their children. We shall continue to create healthier and safer communities,” he added.
The Health Secretary also reminded those who have incurred injuries due to fireworks to immediately consult their nearest health facility for proper wound care and management and to avoid fatal complications like tetanus.
“Our hospitals and health facilities, and their respective medical staff shall continue to provide medical care to fireworks-related injuries,” Duque said. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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