At least four firecracker-related injuries were recorded in Northern Mindanao from December 21 to 27, 2024, the Department of Health-Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) reported.

Of the four, two were in Lanao del Norte and one each in Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.

According to DOH-10, the data is 42.86 percent lower than the incidents recorded in the same period in 2023.

The victims are nine years old, 13 years old, seven years old, and 23 years old.

“There were no reported cases of fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury no reported death. Of the 4 cases, 3 were males, 2 were active cases who sustained blast or burned injury with no amputation with one case that occurred in the street and one at home,” Jasper Kent Ola of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU) of DOH-10 said.

DOH-10 added that the injuries were caused by illegal firecrackers such as watusi, pla-pla, triangle, kwitis, and piccolo.

“So avoid using illegal or unregulated fireworks. Ensure children and pets are far from fireworks. Use fireworks in open spaces. Wear protected gears and always light them outside in an open area,” Ola added.

Meanwhile, hospitals in the region have been placed under Code White Alert for the New Year.

“Ingkaso adunay mga injury tungod ani atong mga fireworks-related, then they will accept. They are prepaid and willing nga mohatag og pagtagad ani atong mga na-injured nga mga nagselebrar sa bag-ong tuig,” Ola said.