Filipinos welcome New Year 2025 with fireworks; some injured

Filipinos merrily welcomed the New Year with fireworks, but some were injured and had to spend the first day of 2025 in hospitals.

In Tondo Medical Center, 24 fireworks-related injuries were recorded since December 21, but many of them were brought to the hospital at midnight amid the New Year festivities, based on an Unang Balita report of Mariz Umali.

Some of the patients had injuries on the hand, while others had their skin burned upon actively using fireworks.

“May surge talaga. After ng countdown, talagang nagdatingan (ang mga pasyente)... After matapos ang countdown, meron nang dumating, halos sabay sabay. Mga 13 ‘yung bilang namin, magkakasunod halos,” said Dr. Nicholo Bulseco, chief resident of Tondo Medical Center’s Department of Surgery.

(There really was a surge. After the New Year’s countdown, the patients started coming almost at the same time. There were about 13 patients who were brought here almost simultaneously.)

Bulseco said one of their patients was injured on the face due to kwitis, and a child was also rushed to the hospital after suffering an eye injury due to luces.

A young patient is shown at the San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, after receiving treatment for a hand injury sustained when handling firecrackers. Danny Pata

Eighty-three cases, meanwhile, were logged at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) since December 21. Of them, 30 were tagged with an "unknown" firework that caused the injury, based on a report of Bam Alegre.

Ten of them were wounded due to 5-star or triangle, 8 due to King Kong, and 6 due to whistle bomb.

Some were also hurt due to illegal firecrackers like pla-pla, piccolo, Judas Belt, dynamite, and boga.

At JRRMMC, some of the victims had to be amputated, while others suffered from a blast burn or eye injury.

As of December 31, New Year’s Eve, a total of 188 cases of firecracker-related injuries were recorded by the Department of Health (DOH) since December 22. This was 52% higher compared to the same period in 2023 when only 124 cases were reported.

In giving first aid to those who were injured due to fireworks, the DOH advised the following:

• Do not ignore even a small wound.
• Immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Cover the wound with sterilized gauze, bandage, or clean cloth.
• Press the wounded part to stop the bleeding.

Meanwhile, those who were injured in the eye can do the following:

• Flush the affected eye with clean and warm water. Do not use cold water.
• Do not rub or scratch the affected eye.
• Cover the affected eye with a clean cloth or gauze.
• Go immediately to an emergency room to receive a tetanus shot.

In case someone swallowed a firecracker, here’s what to do:

• Do not force the victim to vomit.
• Feed the victim with raw egg whites: 6-8 pieces for a child, and 8-12 pieces for adults.

Those who get hurt due to firecrackers should immediately go to the nearest health center or call 911, the emergency hotline, or 1555 which is the DOH emergency hotline for help.

Meanwhile, in some areas such as Samal, Bataan; Laoag, Ilocos Norte; and Tagbilaran, Bohol residents opted to use their motorcycles to make noise instead of fireworks.

There are people who also celebrated the New Year by flocking to Quezon City Memorial Circle to watch a community fireworks display.

—Giselle Ombay/KG, GMA Integrated News