Firecracker injuries rise to 108

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday that more than 30 more people have been injured by firecrackers since Christmas, bringing the total number of firecracker injuries since December 21 to more than 100.

DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag reported that from December 21 to 26, a total of 108 people have been reported injured due firecrackers and stray bullets.

Tayag said that of the said number, 23 suffered eye injuries and some of them may go blind.

The number was higher compared to Wednesday's record of only 72 injuries.

The health official, meanwhile, said that the record was lower compared to the number of injuries reported during the same period last year. He said that in 2011, 147 firecracker and stray bullet injuries were recorded from December 21 to 26.

Tayag said that the DOH, with the help of the Philippine National Police, will continue to intensify its campaign against firecrackers and stray bullets despite the lower number of cases reported.

He said that 70 percent of the total number of firecracker and stray bullet injuries are recorded during New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Last year, the DOH recorded a total of four fatalities due to firecrackers.

"Malaki na ang ibinaba simula dekada '90," Tayag said.

He said that the DOH is coming up with more proposals to bring down the number of firecracker injuries in the coming years. He, however, said that imposing a total ban on firecrackers was unlikely.