The Department of Health on Sunday reported four more fireworks-related injuries in the National Capital Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga.
The injuries were recorded by sentinel hospitals between 6 a.m. on Saturday until 5:59 a.m. on Sunday.
They involved six to 12-year-old boys who played with boga, kwitis, and camara at home.
Three of them suffered burns while one had an eye injury and underwent flushing of cornea for treatment.
The Health department said the recorded number of injuries since Friday was 44 percent lower compared to the cases during the same period last year.
The Health department began its fireworks-related injuries surveillance on Friday.
Under Executive Order 28, the use of firecrackers shall be confined to community fireworks display to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties.
The DOH surveillance on fireworks-related injuries will run until Jan. 5, 2019. About 50 sentinel hospitals nationwide submit their reports daily.
In 2017, the surveillance recorded a total of 463 cases. Majority of these victims belonged to the 10 to 14-years-old age group.
“We are reiterating our advice to parents and caregivers not to allow children to use any kind of firecrackers, especially piccolo, which is the most common cause of injuries among children aged between 10 and 14 years old,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.
