What are the well being dangers of firecrackers past burns?

Well being Secretary Ted Herbosa reminds the general public that the New 12 months might be welcomed safely whereas maintaining the custom of creating noise

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos historically set off firecrackers, believing the noise drives away dangerous luck and spirits as they welcome the New 12 months. Though 2026 has but to start, greater than 100 folks have already been injured resulting from firecracker-related incidents.

Primarily based on the Division of Well being’s (DOH) monitoring of 62 sentinel hospitals, 140 folks had been injured resulting from firecracker-related incidents from December 21 to December 30 at 4 a.m. Of those, 68% had been under 20 years outdated.

Among the many areas, Metro Manila recorded the very best variety of instances, with 60 victims.

The DOH mentioned 5-star was the main firecracker that induced accidents, adopted by boga, firecrackers unknown to the victims, kwitis, unlabeled or imported firecrackers, pla-pla, and whistle bomb.

Of the firecrackers talked about, solely kwitis and whistle bomb are authorized. Nevertheless, the DOH nonetheless suggested the general public to keep away from all types of firecrackers.

“Essential…to remind the mother and father to observe their kids throughout this New 12 months celebration,” Well being Secretary Ted Herbosa mentioned in a press briefing.

“Hindi po natin pinapansin kung ligal or iligal. Sa pananaw po ng DOH, ang lahat ng paputok ay hindi dapat hinahawakan ng bata,” DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo mentioned.

(It doesn’t matter whether it is authorized or unlawful. From the DOH’s perspective, firecrackers shouldn’t be dealt with by kids.)

The firecracker-related accidents recorded thus far in 2025 is 23% decrease than the 182 instances logged in 2024.

Results to well being

The DOH warned the general public of how firecrackers can have an effect on one’s well being.

Other than wounds and burns, firecracker accidents might lead to amputation or elimination of physique components.

Amputation could also be unintended or intentional. Unintended amputation means fingers, palms, or different physique components had been torn off as a result of shut distance of the firecrackers. Intentional amputation, in the meantime, is carried out by medical doctors to keep away from an infection or to avoid wasting an individual’s life in instances of irreparable broken tissues.

Firecrackers might also result in blindness resulting from wounds or extreme eye irritation, lack of listening to resulting from loud explosion, and bronchial bronchial asthma triggered by smoke.

Substances in firecrackers reminiscent of lead, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, might completely injury an individual’s lungs and different organs when inhaled. These are toxic when swallowed — deadly in extreme instances.

Protected New 12 months celebration

Herbosa reminded the general public that the New 12 months might be welcomed safely whereas maintaining the custom of creating noise.

“[The] neighborhood fireworks show — that’s safer kasi malayo (since you take a look at it from afar). Papanoorin ‘nyo lang (You simply watch it) and all people’s blissful,” the well being chief mentioned.

“There are different safer types of making noise: kalembang (bells), torotot (toy trumpets), ‘yong (the) digital na fireworks,” he added. – Rappler.com