MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The number of firework-related injuries recorded so far increased to 101 on Friday, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
The DOH said the injuries were recorded from December 22 to December 27 and were significantly higher than the 75 and 32 injuries reported during the same period in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
鈥淓ighty ng kaso (79 percent) ay dulot ng iligal na paputok, partikular ay boga, 5-star at piccolo, kung saan 65 ng kaso (64 percent) ay aktibong gumamit ng paputok,鈥� said the DOH in an advisory.
(Eighty cases or 79 percent were caused by illegal fireworks, particularly boga, 5-star, and piccolo, with 65 cases or 64 percent involving active use of fireworks.)
Meanwhile, DOH said 82 of the injuries were sustained by individuals ages 19 years old and below, with 92 of the injuries being male.
READ: Firecracker victims are mostly children, says DOH
The DOH then reiterated its reminder to avoid lighting up any type of firecrackers and instead opt for noise-making alternatives like drums and horns to celebrate.
It also emphasized that the sale of firecrackers or fireworks to minors is illegal.
The Department also urged the public to contact the National Emergency hotline at 911 and the DOH hotline at 1555, in cases of emergency.
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