DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/December 31) – The Department of Health (DOH) regional office has recorded six cases of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) from December 21 until 5:59 a.m. of December 31.
Last year, the region recorded two cases from December 21, 2022 to January 2, 2023.
“The latest case is from Mati and (it) occurred at home,” DOH – Davao Health Education and Promotions Officer Yasuy Avila told MindaNews.
Tagum City in Davao del Norte welcomes the new year 2023 with fireworks. MindaNews file photo by GREGORIO C. BUENO
Avila added that Davao de Oro reported three cases — one each in New Bataan, Monkayo and Nabunturan; Davao del Norte recorded two – one each in Panabo and New Corellal; and one in Davao Oriental – in Mati City.
Davao City, Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental recorded no FWRI.
Davao City has recorded zero injuries from firecracker blasts since its ban on firecrackers and other pyrotechnics started Christmas of 2001. Residents who are fond of celebrating the New Year with firecrackers travel to neighboring areas in the region to do so. Davao del Norte’s fireworks display to welcome the new year is a favorite destination.
The DOH regional office recorded no deaths but three of the injured suffered head injuries while three suffered hand injuries. Five of the six cases happened at home.
Avila also said that the injuries were caused by the explosion of firecrackers pla-pla, five-star, kwitis, flying tiger, calcium carbide, and lantaka, a bamboo cannon.
Nationwide , 115 FWRIs were recorded as of 6 a,m. of December 31, with about 44.38% of the cases in the National Capital Region in Luzon.
Last year, the DOH recorded 262 cases nationwide, from December 21, 2022 to January 2, 2023.
“The DOH is seriously concerned how such deadly and illegal fireworks are able to reach the hands of young children,” the DOH said in a December 31, 2023 statement.
PRO-Davao spokesperson Police Major Catherine Dela Rey in an interview aired over Davao City Disaster Radio on Sunday urged everyone to be careful in lighting the fireworks and to ensure lighting them up in safe areas, especially if there are designated areas for them. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
