DOH: 2 fireworks deaths recorded

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded two deaths due to fireworks.

In its latest Fireworks-Related Injuries (FWRI) Report, the DOH said the fatalities are a 38-year-old man who died after lighting a cigarette near a storage room for firecrackers, and his drinking companion, a 44-year-old man, both from Ilocos region.

The latter also suffered injuries from the blast, and the DOH confirmed that he died recently.

This developed after the DOH recorded 15 new cases of FWRI yesterday morning, including four confirmed stray bullet injuries (SBIs) and 11 due to fireworks.

Among the cases of SBIs is a 28-year-old woman from Calabarzon who sustained a gunshot wound in her right arm while watching fireworks outside her home.

The second and third victims are from Ilocos – a 22-year-old woman who was wounded in her left ear after their neighbor fired a gun near their home. Her 26-year-old brother was also hit in his upper right back.

Meanwhile, the fourth case of SBI is a 22-year-old male from Northern Mindanao, who sustained a GSW on his right arm while celebrating with his family.

As to the 11 new FWRI cases, age range is from 4 to 72 years old with eight out of ten or 9.82 percent of cases being males.

Almost all of these new cases occurred at home and in the streets and a majority of cases were due to illegal fireworks.

This brings New Year-related injuries to a total of 600, with 592 due to fireworks, one due to watusi ingestion and seven SBIs.

While there are two deaths, the DOH said 53 are currently in hospital for treatment.

Most of the cases are from the National Capital Region, followed by the Ilocos region, Calabarzon and Central Luzon,

Meanwhile, regions with the lowest number of injuries are Davao, Eastern Visayas and Mimaropa.

Ninety-six percent of the cases happened at home and in the streets, mostly males with active involvement.

The top ranking identified fireworks that caused the majority of FWRIs or 64 percent, in descending order, are kwitis, 5-star, pla-pla, whistle bomb, luces, boga (improvised cannon) and fountain.

The DOH noted that for 89 cases, the firework used is unknown.

It added that illegal fireworks (5-star, pla-pla