Revelers light up firecrackers to welcome 2018 in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay on Jan. 1, 2018. Firecrackers and pyrotechnics are still used during the new year despite an executive order banning its usage in households and places of residence. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — A 78-year old "active" user of Judas belt died while four new firecracker-related injuries were reported across the country on Saturday, pushing the total to 125, according to the Department of Health.

DOH records 101 fireworks-related injuries as of December 27

The first reported death was from Central Luzon, Health Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Albert Domingo announced in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

"Mayroon tayong first reported death, isang 78 years old na lolo na gumamit ng Judas' Belt. Hindi siya iligal na fireworks," he stated.

Domingo said the deceased patient was admitted December 22 and was confirmed to be the one who lighted up the firecrackers. He died on Friday, December 27.

DOH also underscored that there are already cases of amputation among the injured patients, most of whom are children. 102 victims are still minors, according to 62 sentinel sites.

The body part that most often get damaged is the eyes, while the loud bang from the explosions have affected others' hearing, the agency also said..

"Ito 'yung mga bahagi ng katawan na tinamaan —  ang mata ay halos kalahating porsyento. Sumunod ang kamay, ulo, tapos ang ating mga hita at mga braso. Mayroon na pong pito ang nagkaroon ng amputation," Domingo stressed.

Based on the Health Department's tally, the number of firecracker-related injuries reported from December 21 to 28 this year is now higher compared to the same period last year.

"Kapag tiningnan natin 'yung cumulative, ibig sabihin December 21 hanggang kagabi, December 27 at December 28 ng madaling araw —  mas marami 'yung mga kaso. Ngayon nasa 125 na tayo, ito ay 30 percent or 29 percent higher compared doon sa 2023 na 97 na kaso lamang," said Domingo.

He noted, though, that from December 27 to 28 this year, there were only four new reported fireworks-related injuries. This is relevantly lower than the six cases on the same period on 2023.

DOH had documented around 609 people who got fireworks-related wounds from December 21, 2023 to January 6, 2024.

'FIREWORKS ARE BOMBS WE PERMIT'

The health agency reiterated that Filipinos can only escape danger from firecrackers if they will stop using both legal or illegal fireworks.

"Fireworks are bombs that we permit, kung tutuusin bomba pa rin po 'yan. Hindi ho talaga 'yan dapat hinahawakan. Mas maganda 'yung professional na marunong at community fireworks [ang gumagamit] ng paputok na ito," Domingo said, quoting some words from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in a recent interview.

He also pinpointed the possible reason why victims increase daily.

"Sa tingin natin 'yung tumaas na bilang, 'yung napansin namin 'yung mga online sales, 'yung mga how to na ginagawa ng content creators sa mga boga —  ang top number na nagiging sanhi ng mga injuries, no. 1 pa rin si Boga (32-33 percent), five star nasa 16 percent, mga unknown fireworks [top 3], top 4 si Piccolo, at Kwitis 6 percent," he explained.

115 social media pages taken down over sale of firecrackers

Paghuli sa mga online seller ng paputok pinaigting

Domingo emphasized that the three items mentioned in the list of firecrackers that contributed most to number of injuries — namely boga, fivestar, and piccolo —  are all illegal.

He called on Filipinos to stop using firecrackers to ensure safety.

"Mapa-bata mapa-matanda, mapa-sadya o hindi, kapag gumamit ng fireworks po, 'yan ay talagang sakuna ang kaharap natin. Huwag na tayo gumamit," he reminded.

HOSPITALS ARE PREPARED

Domingo meanwhile assured that hospitals nationwide are ready to respond to firework-related cases, since they have been on "code white" alert since December 21. It will last until January 6.

He said this means health facilities are always ready with appropriate shifting and rotation of doctors and nurses as December 31 looms.

He also explained how the first aid treatment should be done for firecracker-related injuries.

"First aid natin [sa naputukan], ito po ay burned injuries na sinasabi. Kapag burned injury, 'wag po lagyan ng toothpase, ng langis o anumang pinapahid. Dapat po 'yung sugat ay linisin lamang ng malinis na tubig, mas maganda kung malamig, o 'yung dumadaloy sa malinis na tubig," Domingo detailed.

Anong dapat gawin 'pag nasugatan ng paputok?

He stressed that it's important to remove any clothing that covers the wound, but one should not forcefully pull off any fabric that may be stuck to the injury. Using gauze and clean cloth while applying pressure in the area is also recommended to stop the bleeding.

Even if the injuries appear to be minor, he said it is advisable to bring the victim to the hospital immediately to receive medical attention and to be assessed if tetanus shots are necessary to prevent infection.

As for amputation cases, Domingo has a reminder.

"Kung ang inyong daliri, kamay, paa, o anumang bahagi ng katawan ay kumalas at nahulog —  pakipulot lamang po at pakilinis ng malinis ng tubig. Balutin ng malinis na plastic at tela. At ilagay sa ibabaw ng yelo," he said.

"Huwag po ilagay sa ibabaw ng yelo at baka po masira ang laman. At ito po ay dalhin kasama ninyo sa ospital kung sakaling mababalik," he continued.

Domingo explained that there is no assurance that the affected body part can be linked back to the body, hence he advised to just refrain from using firecrackers.