THE Department of Health (DOH) said firecracker-related incidents from December 21, 2020 to January 1, 2021 have been significantly lower by at least 95 percent compared to the same period last year.
DOH surveillance reports noted some 15 cases were reported from major hospitals in Central Luzon. About five firecracker accidents were recorded in Pampanga alone but with no casualties recorded.
This is 95-percent lower compared to the same period last year, which recorded 296 cases. The significant decrees had been attributed by the DOH National Office to the ongoing pandemic restrictions and due to the effort of local government units in banning the use of fireworks.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda had discouraged the use of fireworks in homes and only encourage community fireworks and designated areas where fireworks were to be used. Last year, Pampanga recorded 65 firecracker-related accidents.
As of Saturday, the DOH reported cases in Bulacan (seven), Nueva Ecija (two), Tarlac (one), while Aurora, Bataan and Zambales have zero reported incidents.
One of the cases was reported to have sustained finger amputation while another sustained an eye injury. No illegal fireworks were reportedly used, as of Saturday. There were also no mortalities recorded.
Among the most commonly used fireworks among those injured include kwitis (8.53 percent), fountain (2.13 percent), and baby rocket (2.13 percent).
There is also no reported case of firecracker ingestion nor stray bullet, as of the latest report.
The DOH has earlier launched its anti-fireworks campaign to minimize firecracker-related incidents during the holiday season.
According to DOH Secretary Franciso Duque III, the campaign aimed to raise people’s awareness anew on the effects of firecrackers and fireworks on life and property and to encourage the public to use alternative noisemakers to prevent injuries.
Aside from public information campaigns, the DOH also has an Emergency Room Preparedness and Responsiveness program, wherein all DOH hospitals were on alert especially from December 24, 25 and 31. DOH also banned firecrackers in all of their facilities.