Senior dies from firecracker; firecracker injuries at 125

A 78-year-old man from Central Luzon passed away after lighting a Judas belt firecracker, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Saturday.

"78-year-old male po si Lolo na pasyente, active involvement po - nagsindi ng Judas belt. Naospital noong December 22, binawian ng buhay December 27. Taga Central Luzon po," DOH Assistant Secretary Dr. Albert Domingo said.

(Lolo was a 78-year-old male patient who actively participated by lighting the Judas belt. He was hospitalized on December 22 and succumbed on December 27. He was from Central Luzon.)

According to a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report by Jonathan Andal on Saturday, the victim’s wife said that her husband was sorting old supplies of firecrackers and laying out gunpowder in the sun before the accident.

“Namatay siya sa kaniyang injuries at mayroon na din complications. ‘Yung immediate cause of death is infection,” said Domingo.

(He died because of his injuries, and he also had complications. His immediate cause of death is infection.)

The victim is the first recorded firecracker casualty ahead of the New Year 2025 celebrations.

As of December 28, 2024, the DOH has recorded a total of 125 fireworks-related injuries, with 24 new cases reported on Saturday alone.

This year's number of injuries is 29% higher compared to the 97 cases recorded on December 28, 2023.

Domingo said that most injuries occurred in the following regions:

• Metro Manila
• Central Luzon
• Cagayan Valley
• Western Visayas
• Ilocos
• Central Visayas

Out of the 125 victims, 102 were 19 years old and younger. Additionally, 114 were male, and 11 were female.

The DOH continues to monitor fireworks-related injuries and actively urges the public to avoid using fireworks as New Year's celebrations approach.

"Kahit legal ang fireworks, delikado pa rin. Bomba pa rin yan. Sumasabog. Nakamamatay. Iwas paputok na po tayo para sa ating buhay," Domingo said.

(Even though fireworks may be legal, they remain dangerous. They’re explosive and can be fatal. Let’s avoid fireworks for our safety.)

“Mapalegal man o illegal, ang lahat ng paputok ay nakamamatay. Ang mga paputok, bomba pa ‘rin ‘yan,” he added.

(Even if it’s legal or illegal, all firecrackers can kill. Firecrackers are still bombs.)

The department has called on the public to find safer ways to celebrate the holidays to prevent similar tragedies.

The DOH also advised the public to conduct the following procedures in case of any firecracker-related injuries:

• Use cold or lukewarm water to clean the wound
• Avoid removing any clothing that is stuck to the wound
• Avoid putting any ointments, toothpaste, or oil on the wound
• After cleaning any severed limbs, wrap them in a fresh cloth or plastic bag and place them on ice
• While you seek medical attention, apply pressure to bleeding wounds for five minutes using clean gauze or a cloth
• Don't make the victim throw up if they consumed Watusi. Before going to the hospital, give the victim six to eight pieces of raw eggs for children and eight to twelve pieces for adults

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection said they are advocating for a total ban on firecrackers.

On Saturday, the BFP conducted inspections on firecracker stores at Bocaue, Bulacan, distributed flyers advocating for safety, and released a guide on illegal firecrackers. — with a report from Jiselle Anne Casucian/DVM/VBL, GMA Integrated News