The Department of Health on Sunday reported five additional cases of fireworks-related injuries within 24 hours from 24 to 25 December, bringing the total cases to 30, ahead of the New Year's celebration.

Based on the Injury Registry Update of Sentinel Hospitals, the reported fireworks-related injuries recorded this year were 50 percent lower compared to the reported cases for the same period last year.

The figure was also 72 percent lower than the five-year average during the same period, the agency said.

It said all cases were injuries due to fireworks that took place in Ilocos, CALABARZON, Bicol, Western Visayas and Central Visayas regions.

The DoH said all cases involve males with ages ranging from 8 to 22 years.

"Of the five newly-reported cases, four were actively involved," the DoH said.

It also noted that all injuries occurred at home and were managed by hospitals on an outpatient basis.

Of the reported cases, three had blast burn injuries in the eye, with one requiring amputation. Meanwhile, the remaining two cases had blast injuries on their hands.

Out of the new cases, three were injured due to boga – a PVC cannon while the other two were injured from using illegal fireworks such as 5-star and whistle bombs.

Meanwhile, the DoH said there were no reported cases of fireworks ingestion and stray bullet injury.

It urged the public to put safety first and use alternatives to fireworks such as noise and light-producing devices like sound systems, bells, pans, or tambourines to prevent debilitating and life-threatening injuries.