Achieving a zero fireworks-related injury status after the Christmas and New Year revelries remains far-fetched for the Cordillera.
The Department of Health-Cordillera reported 24 fireworks-related injury as of 7 a.m. on Jan. 5, a figure the agency said could still change as reports are still being submitted and validation is still being done.
Of the 24 injuries reported, seven were recorded in Abra, six in Kalinga, two each in Benguet and Mountain Province, and one case in Apayao.
Baguio City, which aimed for a zero fireworks-related injuries, recorded six cases.
In the Jan. 1 report presented by DOH-Cordillera Director Rio Magpantay, six of the seven injured at the time had active involvement, meaning they were directly involved in the use of the firework or firecracker while one was a passive victim or was inadvertently hit.
The Jan. 1 figure showed there were no victims of stray bullet.
In 2022, a female in Abra incurred gunshot wound on her legs when she was hit by a stray bullet outside her house.
No case of fireworks ingestion was reported.
Five of the cases suffered blast or burn injury with no amputation while two suffered eye injury.
Five of the firework-related injuries occurred at home while two were reported to have occurred in the street.
In 2022, the Cordillera recorded four firecracker-related injuries, which were reported in Bangued, Abra; Luna, Apayao; Alfonso Lista, Ifugao; and Paracelis, Mountain Province.
The DOH reminded the public to not pick unexploded fireworks with their bare hands. Instead, transfer the unexploded items using a broom and dustpan or any similar tool to a bucket of water.
In the event of a firework-related injury, the DOH advised the public to seek immediate medical attention to avoid complications arising from tetanus and other infections. – Jane B. Cadalig
April 24, 2024
