Epidemiología y seguimiento del impacto de la legislación sobre los fuegos artificiales en Colombia, Sur América

Abstract

Fireworks are used around the world as part of national and cultural celebrations. These devices are capable of inflicting damage such as burns and other injuries. In Colombia, the periods in which the incidence of fireworks injuries increases dramatically are during the Christmas and New Year's Eve celebration. Fireworks injuries are related to the manufacture, stockpiling, transportation, and marketing, and especially with their handling. MethodsAn observational, descriptive study was carried out using, as a data source, the Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia en Salud Pública (National System for Public Health Surveillance) (Sivigila) for the period January 2007 to December 2013. ResultsBetween January 2007 and December 2013, Colombia reported 6,795 cases of injuries caused by the improper handling and use of gunpowder. The events showed peaks occurring on 7, 8, 24, 25, and 31 December, and January 1st. The departments with the highest rate of injuries were Norte de Santander, Cauca, Quindío, Caldas, Nariño, and Antioquia. ConclusionsFireworks are devices capable of causing serious injury and death when handled, prepared and stored. Children continue to be the most affected population. Restrictive measures alone are not effective, with educational campaigns proving to be the most effective measures to prevent injury.