THE Department of Health (DOH) recorded only 46 cases of fireworks-related injuries from 6 a.m. of December 21 to 5:59 a.m. Sunday, December 30.
Based on the Fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) Report #9 of the Department of Health (DOH), the number of cases was lower by 45 cases, or 49 percent, compared to the same period last year.
Of the 46 cases, 44 accounted for injuries due to firecrackers while the other two are cases of fireworks ingestion.
Among those injured by firecrackers, 40 are male with a median age of 11. The youngest victim is two years old while the oldest is 69 years old.
The types of injuries sustained were 26 blast/burn without amputation; 5 blast with amputation; and 15 eye injuries.
Top firecrackers involved are prohibited, such as Boga (13); Kwitis (5); Triangle (3); Picolo (3); while 5-Star, baby rocket, bawang, camara, and luces had 2 each.
The DOH earlier placed all the government hospitals under Code White alert in preparation for the New Year's revelry.
Code White means that the full force of medical personnel, even those who are supposed to be off-duty, are on-call and shall respond to emergencies, if necessary.
Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the public against the use of prohibited firecrackers, as follows: