Photo: Asingan PIO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health has logged 340 cases of firecracker-related injuries from December 22, 2024 until the height of New Year’s celebration on Jan. 1, 2025. 

The data that came from 62 sentinel sites monitored by the DOH said 141 cases were tallied on the first day of January which is 64% lower than the last year’s record for the same day. Eleven cases meanwhile came from late reporting. 

Majority of the victims also were young adults. Of the 340, 239 were 19 years old and below while 101 were aged 20 and above. Male victims were numbered at 299 while females were 49. 

Two hundred two of the victims or 59% were caused by illegal firecrackers such as boga 5-star and piccolo while 186 or 54.7% were victims who regularly used firecrackers. 

Firecracker-related injuries were 34% lower this year compared to last year with 540 victims tallied on January 1, 2024 against 340 logged on January 1, 2025.