19 fireworks-related injuries听reported over Christmas holiday
THE听HEALTH department听on Monday reported 19 fireworks-related injuries听over the Christmas holiday,听with听84%听involving听illegal听pyrotechnics or firecrackers.听
The total听was听54% higher compared to the 12 cases听in 2020,听but听67% lower than the five-year average of 58 cases听in听the same period.听
Fireworks-related injuries are usually higher during the New Year鈥檚 Eve celebration.听听
All cases were due to injuries inflicted by fireworks. There were no reports of听fireworks ingestion,听or听stray bullet injury or death.听
Fifty out of 61 designated sentinel hospitals submitted a zero-injury report.听听
Several local governments already have an existing prohibition on the individual use of fireworks and firecrackers. Some localities affected by the recent typhoon have issued orders for a ban this year to avoid fires and hospitalization while communities are grappling with limited water supply and damaged health facilities. 听
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire听reminded the public听in a briefing听that the holiday season can be celebrated听safely.听
She听stressed听that accidents can be听avoided听by using听safer alternatives to firecrackers and pyrotechnics听such as听noise and light-producing devices, and just听participating in community fireworks displays听usually organized by local governments.听听
Ms. Vergeire听also advised to avoid the use of horns听and听whistles听to minimize the spread of airborne viruses.听听
The health听official also听reiterated听the importance of observing听minimum health standards听such as wearing of face mask and distancing amid the continued threat of the coronavirus.听鈥斕鼳lyssa Nicole O. Tan听
