Health authorities in Panama’s Colon Province have issued urgent safety recommendations for New Year’s celebrations. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) aims to prevent injuries from fireworks and illnesses from spoiled food during the holiday period.
The warnings come as families across the province prepare for traditional festivities. Officials are focusing on two primary areas of risk that see annual increases in emergency room visits.
Fireworks Pose Severe Risks, Especially for Children
Margarita de Villarreal, coordinator of the Childhood and Adolescence program for Minsa in Colon, emphasized the extreme dangers of fireworks. She stated that parents and caregivers must understand the potential for life-altering injuries in an instant.
“It is crucial to remind parents or caregivers of children about the danger of pyrotechnics,” de Villarreal said. [Translated from Spanish] “These can cause serious injuries that can instantly change a child’s quality of life. Injuries are often irreversible, like eye burns from using pyrotechnic devices.”
She advised keeping children far from areas where fireworks are being ignited. Her recommendations include never storing pyrotechnics in pockets where friction could generate heat and designating a secure storage location completely inaccessible to children. Officials stress that children should never handle explosive devices under any circumstances. In the event of an accident, families should immediately take the child to the nearest health facility for prompt care. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission provides detailed fireworks safety guidelines that align with these warnings.
Authorities also urged protection for family pets. The loud noises can cause severe distress and potential injury to animals. They recommend placing pets in a safe, interior room away from the sounds and playing relaxing music to help mask the noise.
Food Safety Critical for Holiday Meals
Minsa officials extended their warnings to include food preparation, a major source of holiday illness. Felipe Lee, head of Food Control and Veterinary Surveillance for Minsa in Colon, provided specific guidance for consumers.
He stressed purchasing perishable items only from establishments that maintain a proper cold chain. Products like ham and turkey, Lee noted, must be correctly frozen and never left exposed to the sun or ambient temperatures. This improper handling rapidly accelerates bacterial growth in food products.
“Salads that contain mayonnaise should be prepared as close to their consumption time as possible,” Lee added. [Translated from Spanish] “Once prepared, they can spoil within an hour of being at room temperature. Fruits and vegetables must also be washed correctly for about 15 minutes in containers with water before being placed in serving dishes.”
These precautions help prevent foodborne illness, which often spikes during holidays. Lee’s team also warned families to keep children away from stoves and cooking areas to prevent serious burn accidents during meal preparation.
Health Services Remain on Alert
Local health centers and polyclinics throughout Colon Province will maintain full operational status during the New Year’s holiday. This ensures emergency services are available across a wide region.
Facilities in Colon city, the Transistmica area, the Gatun Lake sector, Costa Abajo, and Costa Arriba are all prepared to respond. The coordinated alert allows for rapid treatment of any fireworks-related injuries or cases of food poisoning.
Officials hope these proactive recommendations will lead to a safer celebration. Their goal is a significant reduction in preventable holiday emergencies. The message from Minsa remains clear. Vigilance during festivities protects the health and well-being of the entire community.