31 Colombians were burned by fireworks in the first four days of December, including 21 minors, the national police announced Friday.
Director of civilian security General Orlando Paez Baron said authorities were concerned because “Christmas celebrations have not yet started and we already have a very high number of firework burns. We are asking parents and adults in general not to allow children to handle fireworks.”
Paez said that the authorities have begun to monitor illegal fireworks, whose production and sales increase during December.
Police are also running workshops and handing out pamphlets on the safe handling of fireworks and how to prevent accidents.