The Ministry of Internal Affairs, in collaboration with the Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, is intensifying its preventive campaign to raise public awareness about the dangers of using firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices as the New Year’s celebrations approach.
In a television appearance, the head of the General Police Department, Biljana Saraginova Panchevska, and the director of the Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jasmina Georgievska Pavlovska, jointly emphasized that the use of firecrackers poses a serious health risk, especially for children and adolescents. Dr. Georgievska Pavlovska pointed out that every year, severe injuries are reported, often leading to permanent consequences. Last year, three children aged 12 and 13 suffered severe injuries to their hands, resulting in finger amputations due to firecracker explosions.
Saraginova Panchevska highlighted that the Ministry of Internal Affairs constantly reminds that the sale and use of pyrotechnic devices are strictly regulated by law, and significant monetary fines are imposed on violators. A call is also made to traders to refrain from illegal sales, as well as to parents to monitor the activities of minors.
The preventive activities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which are carried out in schools across the country, will continue this year. Through educational presentations, real-life examples from medical practice, and joint appearances with medical experts, the goal is to raise awareness among the youngest about the seriousness of the risks posed by firecrackers.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs once again appeals to citizens to spend the holiday season peacefully, safely, and with dignity — without the use of pyrotechnic devices that can cause permanent injuries, fires, or disturbances to public order and peace. The safety of children and the health of all citizens remain our top priority.