​12/01/2017

Press Release No 178, 2017

- The Ministry demands efforts by society to avoid burns, vis-à-vis Antioquia's alborada.

 Bogotá (DC), November 30, 2017. The message from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection for the end of the year festivities, which begin with Antioquia's alborada (dawn celebration), is a single, emphatic one: no minor must be burned from gunpowder handling.

The Deputy Minister of Public Health and Services, Luis Fernando Correa, said that parents are the first line of defense to prevent the most vulnerable Colombians from being injured.

"It is appropriate to remind citizens that the sale and use of pyrotechnic articles or fireworks and artisanal hot-air balloons is totally prohibited for minors and intoxicated persons, as well as the production, manufacture, handling, use and marketing of pyrotechnic articles or fireworks containing white phosphorus," he said. He added that there is a social duty in the protection of minors, which should be reported when facing a possible risk to their integrity.

"Socially, it is a responsibility to take care of our children because, if we see children at risk, we must report it using telephone line 141 provided by the Colombian Family Welfare Institute (ICBF, in Spanish). It is also the responsibility of the municipalities and the National Police, because minors are especially vulnerable to this situation," he said.

He explained that the challenge is to not have people burned by gunpowder, but if that has occurred, the injured should be taken to the health services.

In Colombia, gunpowder has been a socially widespread practice that increases in the holiday season, which is why campaigns such as #PrendeLaFiestaSinPólvora are being carried out. Historically, Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, Bogotá and Cauca rank first in injuries caused by gunpowder.

The Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Health, the ICBF, the National Police, the National Institute of Legal Medicine and the Ombudsman's Office will continue to monitor this event of public health interest.

Administrative acts

Citizens must be watchful of this type of behavior affecting public health; must strengthen control of the sale of pyrotechnic articles, especially to minors and intoxicated persons (Laws 9, 1979 and 670, 2001 and their regulatory decrees) and reinforce the coordinated work with the province and municipal authorities, health services, family welfare and media to maintain preventive actions, ensure timely care and notification of cases.

• It is an event declared of public interest in health and subject to monitoring and mandatory reporting.
• Law 670, 2001 establishes the guidelines to guarantee the life, physical integrity and recreation of children exposed to risk by the handling of pyrotechnic or explosive articles.
• Different joint circulars have been issued between the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the National Health Institute (Circulars 043, 2013, 066, 2014, 051, 2015, 047, 2016 and 042, 2017) that seek to guide the intensified surveillance, prevention and care to injuries caused by the manufacture, storage, transportation, marketing, handling and improper use of gunpowder.
• Guidelines for emergency management of injuries and toxicological emergencies have been designed, which include the treatment for possible intoxications by the entry into the body of these types of products.