MANILA, Philippines, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The number of injuries from fireworks in the Philippines jumped 51 percent over an eight-day period this time last year, the Manila Times reported Monday.
According to the Department of Health report covering the period from Dec. 21-29, 145 cases have been tallied nationwide. Of the 145 cases, 134 were directly injured by exploding firecrackers, a 51 percent rise compared to the same period last year.
The youngest victim was a 10-month-old infant; the oldest was 89 years old.
Sixteen percent of those hurt were drunk, the newspaper said.
Five of the cases were hit by stray bullets associated with fireworks parties, and the rest were children poisoned by so called "watusi" sparklers that are sold in candy-sized containers.
Before 2003, government ads on television showed scenes of cut limbs and bloodied bodies to emphasize the danger of fireworks. The ads were described as gruesome, but statistics showed a marked decrease in firecracker-related injuries while the ads aired.
