Nearly 800 people were reportedly injured by firecrackers as the Philippines marked the end of 2010 and heralded the entry of 2011.

The Department of Health (DOH) have recorded some 794 firecracker injuries across the country from December 21, 2010 to January 2, 2011. this was 61 cases or 8 percent more than the previous five-year average.

“Out of the 17 regions, NCR [National Capital Region] reported the most cases [451 or 57 percent of the total]. Seven hundred and forty-nine [94 percent] were due to fireworks, 35 [45 percent] to stray bullets and 10 [1 percent] to fireworks ingestion,” the health department said.

Of the 749 injuries, 437 people (57 percent) were reportedly active users or the ones who set off the firecrackers. of the active users aged 18 and above, some 68 (37 percent) were reportedly under liquor intoxication.

The most affected age group were children aged 1 to 10, comprising 243 (32 percent) of the victims. meanwhile, at least 584 (78 percent) of the injured were males.

Injuries due to illegal fireworks tallied to at least 397 (53 percent), while piccolo injuries numbered 220 (29 percent).

Health officials also reported that a woman died last year after ingesting piccolo powder.

Five hundred eighty-five (78 percent) suffered various degrees of skin burns without needing amputation, while 48 (6 percent) had some of their fingers or toes removed. Some 116 people (16 percent) had eye injuries.

Most of the victims (65 percent) were reportedly injured while participating in street revelries.

Injuries down to 20 percent

Health Secretary Enrique Ona earlier said that health authorities expected the figure to reach somewhere between 900 to 1,000 on January 1.

However, the recent tally was 20 percent lower compared to that for the same period marking the end of 2009 and the start of 2010.

DOH Undersecretary Mario Villaverde said that it is still very early to conclude if the government’s efforts in warning people of the dangers exploding firecrackers bring were effective.

He likewise said that the health department will still go on monitoring reports from hospitals since some people continue to use firecrackers days after the new Year, according to Inquirer.net.

DOH is set to release the final count of firecracker-related injuries on Wednesday, January 5.

In 2009, the DOH listed a total of 870 firecracker-related injuries, 35 stray-bullet injuries and two watusi ingestions according to GMA News.

Beware of tetanus

Meanwhile, public health officials called on those who were wounded by firecrackers to immediately seek medical treatment in order to avoid contracting tetanus.

Dr. Eric Tayag, director of the National Epidemiology Center (NEC), said that firecracker injuries may lead to tetanus, which could be fatal if left untreated, Philippine Star reported.

He said that an infection could develop from eight days to three weeks after sustaining the injury. Symptoms of tetanus include headache, lockjaw, high fever and weakness.

We are appealing to those who sustained wounds from the use of fireworks. (These are) more dangerous than ordinary wounds,” Dr. Tayag said.