CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A significant increase in the number of fireworks-related injuries in Central Luzon was reported by the Department of Health (DOH).
Based on the data from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU), from 203 cases reported from December 21, 2018 to January 5, 2019, the number rise to 303 cases for the same period this year.
Of the seven provinces in Central Luzon, Bulacan has the most number of cases with 118; followed by Pampanga – 69; Tarlac – 50; Bataan – 33; Nueva Ecija –17; Zambales –15; and Aurora—1.
In terms of the kind of fireworks that caused the injuries, RESU 3 Head Dr. Jessie Fantone said kwitis accounts for 38% of the injuries; followed by luces at 15%; fountain – 8%; 5 star – 6%; and piccolo—6%.
“Despite the increase in the reported cases this year, the good news is that there were no reported cases of firecracker ingestion, stray bullet injuries, and tetanus infection,” Fantone said.
Another good news, he added, is that there were only five who sustained blast/burn with amputation, while 264 cases sustained blast/burn with no amputation. The remaining 34 had eye injuries.
With this, the DOH urges the public to remain vigilant of their surroundings; and to safely clean up fireworks debris, dispose them properly, and refrain from picking and lighting undischarged fireworks.
“We also appeal to the local government units to implement strict ordinances or policies that would really monitor and if possible, prohibit the manufacture and sale of fireworks to avoid future injuries,” Fantone said.