Colombia’s National Health Institute confirmed Friday that 203 people have been injured by fireworks so far this month, reported news station Noticias Uno.
Colombia has already seen a 5.1% increase in burn victims in the first two weeks of December compared with the same period last year.
The northwestern department of Antioquia reported the most injuries, followed by Valle, Caldas, Quindio and Tolima.
More than half of the victims were minors, according to the Assistant Inspector General for Children and Adolescents, Ilva Myriam Hoyos.
Hoyos accused 50 mayors from municipalities with the highest number of injuries of not supporting burn prevention campaigns and “under-reporting personal injury offenses of children affected by fireworks.”
Fireworks are illegal in Colombia except when being handled by professionals, but that has not deterred people from wanting to see pretty lights and loud explosions.
The biggest concern is child safety as many children do not comprehend how dangerous fireworks can be.
An accident earlier this month caused a 12-year old boy to have both his arms amputated as a result of his injuries.
