Cases of firecracker injuries, fires down this holiday season, say DOH, BFP
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reported fewer firework-related injuries this holiday season compared to the previous year, although it expects the numbers to go up in the coming days.
Similarly, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported that incidents of fire and damage due to firecrackers and pyrotechnics “significantly declined” in 2025.
According to the DOH, fireworks left 235 individuals injured from Dec. 21 up to the early morning of Jan. 1, a drop of 42 percent compared to the previous holiday season’s 403 individuals. The figure was based on data collected from 62 sentinel hospitals, it added.
But in a statement, DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo stressed that “even as we see today a lower than last year count for firework-related injuries, the DOH anticipates that late reports will come in from today, Jan. 1, all the way to Jan 5.”
Full analysis coming
“We hope the lower count will stay,” Domingo said, noting that the full analysis of the DOH will be presented on Jan. 5 or in the following days.
Of the 235 victims of firework-related injuries this holiday season, 69 percent were aged 19 years old and below, while the rest were 20 years old and older.
The DOH noted that most of the victims were injured by an unidentified type of firework or firecracker, followed by “boga” and “5-star.”
Domingo reminded the public that “all who had encounters with fireworks, no matter how small the wound, should seek consultation at the nearest hospital to avoid tetanus.”
“Symptoms do not appear until around eight days, some up to 21 days later, and they can be deadly. Vaccination against tetanus is available at hospitals,” he said.
BFP report
The BFP also recorded a 28-percent drop in fire incidents during the holiday season, with only 28 logged this year, compared to 39 in 2024. Financial losses from damage to property also subsequently dropped by 70 percent, with this year’s total damage down to P62.7 million from P210.5 million in 2024.
In addition, the number of fatalities due to fires decreased by 60 percent, while cases of injuries dropped by 33.33 percent compared to 2024.
“At least it’s decreasing. So, that’s a good sign that many are responding to the firecracker ban. But it’s still not zero. That should have been our goal,” BFP spokesperson FSupt. Anthony Arroyo said in a statement. —WITH A REPORT FROM KEITH CLORES
