Injuries after new years celebration seen at the National Orthopedic Hospital (January 1990) (With Addendum, January 1991)

ABSTRACT

By tradition, the Filipinos combine the Western New Year with the Asian custom of exploding fireworks. To estimate the number of injuries associated with fireworks, a descriptive study was done. We reviewed clinical records of outpatient and inpatients of the National Orthopedic Hospital (NOH) who sustained injuries because of fireworks from December 1, 1989 to January 6, 1990. Between December 22, 1989 and January 6, 1990 113 cases of firework injuries were seen at the NOH. One hundred eight (96%) were males. Seventy five (66%) were between 5 and 24 years. Seventy three (65%) of the cases were seen on January 1, 1990 between 1200 midnight to 200 am. One hundred seven (95%) were self inflicted. Thirty four (30%) patients were hospitalized; none died. There were 178 injuries. Fifty four (48%) had multiple injuries. The hand was the body part most commonly affected. Amputation of fingers or wrists accounted 42 (24%) of the injuries; mostly in ages 5-14 years. Fractures accounted 24 (13%) of the injuries; mostly in ages 10-19 years. Avulsions accounted 23 (13%) of the injuries; mostly in ages 15-24 years. We concluded that the use of fireworks can cause debilitating injuries - - the more serious involved the age group 5-24 years. We thereby recommend that health education and preventive measures should be directed to these age group. Existing Philippine law absolutely prohibits the use of fireworks. However, this was hard to implement and illegal manufacturers make larger fireworks than when fireworks were legal. We recommend the selective legalization of small fireworks which may be more a practical way to prevent the severe injuries we documented.