DOH: Fireworks-related injuries rise to 69
An additional 26 cases of fireworks-related injuries were recorded between Christmas Day and Dec. 26, as reported by 62 “sentinel sites,” mostly government hospitals, nationwide to the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday.
The additional cases brought the tally for such injuries from Dec. 22 to Dec. 26 to 69 with 58 of the victims age 19 and below. Of the total, 51 or 74 percent were hurt while actively using fireworks with 59 cases due to “boga” or an improvised cannon considered among the illegal fireworks.
“Watch over the children and prohibit them from using fireworks especially boga, 5-Star and Piccolo which are the main causes of fireworks-related injuries,” the DOH said.
It also recommended alternative types of noisemakers such as party horns (“torotot”) and music. Those who need help for fireworks-related injuries may call the National Emergency Hotline at 911 or the DOH Hotline at 1555.
