Firecracker injuries highest in almost a decade - DOH
Metro Manila, Philippines - It seems old habits die hard despite constant warnings from authorities: firecracker injuries to welcome 2025 was almost the same level nearly a decade ago, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, Jan. 6.
From Dec. 22 until 6 a.m. on Jan. 6, the agency said it recorded 843 cases, or 38% higher than the 610 cases year-on-year. The numbers were from 62 hospitals that are part of a monitoring system.
Health Secretary Ted Herbosa earlier said that while the agency expects the cases to rise leading up to the last monitoring day, he “[did not] expect it to increase a lot.”
The latest count was the highest in nine years, or when cases reached 932 in 2015-2016.
The data showed four deaths, including one from a bullet.
Others suffered skin burns and amputation.
In the last monitoring day, there were two injuries on New Year's Eve, three on New Year's Day, and six from previous days.
Of the total count, nearly six in 10 (59%) victims were 19 years old and below. Majority was male.
“Ang kasabihan kasi may firecrackers para mag-ingay at maalis ang malas ng nakaraang taon. Either huwag na tayo maniwala sa superstition or mag-ingay tayo ng ibang pamamaraan na ligtas na walang ibang mai-injure,” Herbosa said in a recent news conference.
[Translation: There’s a superstition that there are firecrackers to make noise and shoo away negativity from the previous year. Either we do not believe in that superstition or use alternative noisemakers for safety.]
“Ipapaimplementa ko next year talagang bawal ang paputok sa bata, ligal man o iligal, kasi ‘yon ‘yong nakikita natin na na-injure,” said the health chief, adding that parents should stop their children from playing with firecrackers.
[Translation: I would consider implementing next year a fireworks ban on children, either legal or illegal fireworks, since most of the injuries were children.]
Herbosa said he would push for community firework displays limited to pyrotechnicians.
First-time monitoring
For the first time, the DOH also tracked road traffic incidents during the holidays, culling data from eight pilot sites.
The DOH recorded 703 cases, including eight deaths. Five fatalities were from motorcycle crashes.
Health officials found many failed to use safety gears, with almost a fifth driving under the influence of alcohol.
The agency also tried to check those admitted to hospitals due to stroke, heart attack, and bronchial asthma as it said cases of non-communicable diseases also rose during the holidays.
In 2025, Herbosa called on the public to use the Pinggang Pinoy as a guide on balanced meals, regular exercise, and discipline in lifestyle choices to maintain a healthy body.
