Fireworks-related injuries in Cordillera up by 78%

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Even after the holiday season, authorities are still monitoring fireworks-related incidents in the Cordillera region, and the number of cases continues to rise.

As of 6 AM on January 6, there have already been 41 firecracker-related injuries, with Kalinga still reporting the highest number of cases.

Specifically, Kalinga documented 13 cases, followed by Baguio City (12), Abra (10), Apayao (4), Benguet (3), and Ifugao (1).

When compared to the same period last year, the case is now 78 percent higher. Last year’s record was 23.

According to the Department of Health-Cordillera, 60 percent of these cases involved legal fireworks, while the remainder involved illegal ones.

Some of the firecrackers used included piccolo and ‘boga’.

From December 21, 2023, until today, January 8, there have been no reports of amputations or fatalities among the recorded cases.

The age range of the victims spans from 5 to 62 years old.

Additionally, it was observed that most of the injured victims were frequent users of fireworks, and 55 percent of the incidents occurred in their homes.