Firecracker-related injuries reach 188 before New Year revelry

The number of firecracker-related injuries jumped to 188 hours before Filipinos welcome 2025.

This marks a 52 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

Additionally, the DOH logged 25 new cases on New Year's Eve.

Of these, 152 are individuals under 19 years old. The majority, 172, are male, while 16 are female.

Moreover, 136, or 72 percent, of the cases were caused by the use of illegal firecrackers, such as boga, 5-star, and piccolo.

A total of 123, or 65 percent, of those injured actively used firecrackers.

The DOH noted that most of the reported cases involved eye injuries, skin burns, or dismemberment of body parts.

The health agency reiterated its warning to the public to avoid using firecrackers and to keep gunpowder away from children.

It also urged the public to report those selling and using illegal firecrackers.

The public was urged to use alternative noisemakers, such as drums or karaoke.