DOH records 163 firecracker injuries before New Year's Eve

Two days before the New Year's Eve celebration, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 163 firecracker-related injuries all over the country.

- By RHODINA VILLANUEVA

Latest data from the health department showed a total of 163 firecracker-related injuries were recorded from Dec. 22 until yesterday morning from 62 sentinel hospitals.

This is 44 percent higher than the 113 total cases logged during the same period last year.

Of the total cases, 135 victims were aged 19 years old and below while 28 were aged 20 years old and above.

It also noted that 148 of the victims are males and 15 are females.

The health department added that 118 or 72 percent of the cases were caused by illegal firecrackers that included boga, five-star and piccolo.

There were also 106 or 65 percent of victims considered active users of firecrackers.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City's medical center registered its fourth victim of a firecracker-related injury as the city's police intensified the drive against illegal sales of prohibited and dangerous firecrackers ahead of New Year's celebration.

Data provided by the Zamboanga City Medical Center showed the latest victim was a 13-year-old boy who sustained injuries on his head and left eye from a "baby rocket" blast last Sunday in Barangay Sta. Catalina.