Fewer firecracker-related injuries seen this New Year - DOH

MANILA, January 2 ------ Fewer firecracker-related injuries were seen in the 2026 New Year celebrations, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In a statement, the DOH said 235 cases of firework-related Injuries were recorded from December 21, 2025 till 4 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Another 62 injuries were recorded on New Year's Day itself.

The DOH said this is 42 percent lower than the 403 seen in the same period last year. The health department said it hopes the lower count will stay until it ends its monitoring on January 5. Meanwhile, the DOH reminds everyone with firecracker-related injuries --n o matter how small the wound may be -- to go to the nearest hospital to avoid tetanus. "Symptoms do not appear until around 8 days, some up to 21 days later, and they can be deadly," the DOH said.

At the East Avenue Medical Center, there have been 9 injuries from midnight to Thursday morning. Meanwhile, following the new year celebration, data from Breathe Metro Manila show that air quality in the metro has become very unhealthy. Those who have respiratory illnesses and other vulnerable patients are advised to either stay indoors or wear masks.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com