A day before New Year's Eve, the Department of Health recorded 140 fireworks-related injury cases, mostly among boys aged five to 14. This marks a 23 percent drop from the 182 cases in the same period last year. The DOH urged avoiding fireworks for children and opting for community displays for safety.
From December 21 to early morning of December 30, the Department of Health recorded 140 fireworks-related injury (FWRI) cases across 62 sentinel hospitals, a 23 percent decrease from the 182 cases in 2024. Most victims were boys aged five to 14, with 68 percent under 20 years old per some reports. Metro Manila led with 60 cases, followed by Western Visayas with 14 and Central Luzon with 13.
Leading causes included five-star, boga, unidentified fireworks, kwitis, and unlabeled or imported pyrotechnics, along with pla-pla and whistle bomb. Though only kwitis and whistle bomb are legal, the DOH advised against children handling any fireworks. "All fireworks injuries are dirty wounds and tetanus-prone. Even minor wounds require a tetanus booster at the emergency department," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said in a press briefing.
Beyond wounds and burns, risks include amputation, blindness, hearing loss, asthma from smoke, and lung damage from toxins like lead and sulfur dioxide. "Community fireworks displays are safer because they're far from people. You just watch and everyone's happy," Herbosa added, suggesting alternatives like torotot or electronic fireworks.
Authorities destroyed thousands of illegal fireworks, arresting sellers. The Philippine National Police intensified crackdowns on illegal gunfiring during celebrations.
