Number of firecracker victims continues to rise as New Year approaches

As the New Year approaches, more and more people are becoming victims of firecrackers, with the Department of Health (DOH) counting 48 as of Tuesday, according to a report by GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez on Balitanghali.

From December 21 to 26, the DOH recorded 47 victims, the report said. One case of firecracker ingestion was also recorded, plus a 48th victim.

About 72 percent or 34 of these cases were children, according to the DOH. Of the total number, 23 were victims of piccolo, 13 suffered eye injuries, and 11 were bystanders.

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag, who is the DOH spokesperson, said the current figure was still lower than last year's figure of 95 during the same period. It is also lower than the five-year average of 109 recorded from 2011 to 2015.

Dr. Daveric De Jesus, an orthopedic surgeon at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC), said the lower numbers this year could be attributed to poor weather brought on by Typhoon Nina.

"Maybe one circumstance ngayon, kasi may bagyo, less naman yung magpapaputok dahil basa yung area nila," De Jesus said.

For those who will suffer firecracker injuries, De Jesus recommended the use of clean, cold water and wet gauze as first aid treatment for minor burns before victims are taken to hospitals.

The DOH strongly advises using alternative noisemakers and attending community fireworks events instead of buying firecrackers for personal use in its yearly drive against firecracker injuries.

Charms with firecracker sounds can be bought in Divisoria for anywhere between P1,500 to P2,000. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News