BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Administrative Region office of the Department of Health (DoH-CAR) here disclosed that fireworks-related injuries in the different parts of the region have significantly dropped by 55 percent from December 21, 2009 to January 1, 2010 compared to the same period last year.

Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, DoH-CAR director, attributed the significant decrease of fireworks-related injuries to the cooperation of local residents in their continuous advocacy not to use firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the New Year revelry.

From December 21, 2009 to January 1, 2010, the DoH-CAR was able to record 34 fireworks-related injuries in the six provinces and one city in the region compared to the 76 recorded injuries from December 21, 2008 to January 1, 2009.

Out of the 34 fireworks-related injuries this year, 14 cases were reported in Baguio; 12 cases came from Abra; three cases from Kalinga; two cases each from Apayao and Benguet and one case from Ifugao.

However, Cabotaje explained there is a possibility the number of fireworks-related injuries could increase in the coming days since there might be still individuals who will be brought to the hospitals for medical treatment because of injuries sustained from the explosion of firecrackers in their respective places.

The DoH-CAR will still monitor the developments in the different private and public hospitals in the region until the first week of January before coming out with a final report on the matter.

According to Cabotaje, most of the victims were injured after trying to explode the controversial piccolo, pla-pla, five-star, whistle bomb and kwitis which are all reportedly banned pyrotechnic products.

Fortunately this year, Cabotaje disclosed there were no victims of stray bullets which were reported since the police and military had been vigilant against the firing of guns during the New Year revelry.

Meanwhile, she advised individuals who sustained minor injuries as a result of bursting firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the celebration of the New Year revelry to visit the nearest health center in their places so that they could be provided with immediate treatment to prevent them from contracting tetanus which could be deadly once it will not be attended well.