Philippines Sees 23% Drop in Firework Injuries

As the Philippines gears up for New Year's Eve celebrations, the Department of Health reported 140 firework-related injuries nationwide from December 21 to December 30 at 4 a.m., marking a 23 percent decrease from the 182 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. The injuries, tracked across 62 sentinel hospitals, predominantly affected children and adolescents, with 95 of the cases, or 68 percent, involving individuals aged 19 and younger, including 78 among those aged five to 14.

Health officials attributed most injuries to illegal or hazardous devices, such as five-star firecrackers, boga improvised cannons, and unidentified pyrotechnics. In the National Capital Region, which saw the highest number of incidents at 57 cases through December 29, boys aged five to 14 accounted for 63 injuries, often from five-star fireworks or unknown sources. Other regions, including Ilocos with 20 cases from December 21 to 26 and Central Luzon with 11, reported similar patterns, with unlabeled or imported firecrackers causing 40 percent of injuries in the north. Among the victims, at least two children suffered amputations, including the loss of fingers from explosions, and others...