Fireworks-related injuries up 39% – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Seven fireworks-related injuries were reported yesterday, bringing the total to 32.

“The cumulative 32 cases for 2022 was 39 percent higher than 2021, but lower by 22 percent from the five-year average during the same period,” the Department of Health (DOH) noted.

Data gathered from DOH sentinel hospitals showed that 22 or 69 percent of the injuries occurred at home and 10 or 31 percent on the streets.

The DOH said 91 percent of the victims are males aged one to 64.

Sixteen of the victims sustained eye injuries while two had blast and burn injuries with amputation.

Sixteen percent or five of the victims were drunk. Four were hospitalized due to injuries they sustained.

The DOH has not recorded any fireworks-related death or ingestion.

At the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday, Philippine Hospitals Association Philippines president Jose Rene de Grano assured the public that private hospitals are prepared for a possible rise in fireworks-related injuries.

Illegal fireworks seized

Meanwhile, several fireworks without product standard (PS) stickers were seized during an inspection of firecracker stores by personnel of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  in Bocaue, Bulacan on Tuesday.

Lea Alapide, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc., said concerned manufacturers were given 48 hours to explain why their products have no proper PS stickers.

Lebby Estrella, head of the consumer protection division of DTI-Bulacan, said a fireworks storeowner was given a notice of violation for mislabeling.

The DTI office in Bulacan is waiting for the final report on the inspections conducted by its head office.

Fireworks zones

In a related development, the Bulacan police identified eight fireworks zones in the province as of yesterday.

Reports reaching Col. Relly Arnedo, Bulacan police director, showed that among the designated fireworks zones are SM Baliwag open grounds in Barangay Pagala, Philippine Arena grounds in Bocaue, Barangay Poblacion in Guiguinto and Barangay Ibayo in Marilao.

Barangay Sto. Cristo in Pulilan, Barangay Poblacion in San Ildefonso, Barangay Pulong Buhangin in Sta. Maria and the city sports complex in Barangay Minuyan Proper in San Jose del Monte City are the other designated fireworks zones.

In Malolos, an executive order (EO) signed by Mayor Christian Natividad on Tuesday identifies zones for firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices as well as designated display areas.

The EO also sets guidelines on the prohibition of the sale, manufacture and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

Under the EO, lighting of firecrackers will be allowed only at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center parking area in Barangay Bulihan and other areas to be determined or allowed by the city government in coordination with the Philippine National Police.

President Marcos had earlier called on local government units to establish common areas for the display of fireworks for their constituents who want to sustain the tradition of welcoming the New Year with a bang.

The President said fireworks display areas would also minimize injuries caused by firecrackers.