Overview
- Emergency departments report a 20–35% rise in demand during December festivities, according to the IMSS.
- Burns, particularly second- and third-degree injuries, lead cases and are linked to fireworks, hot liquids during cooking, and overloaded decorative lighting.
- Traumatic brain injuries rank second in emergency causes, followed by alcohol intoxications tied to year-end celebrations.
- Vulnerable groups include children under five (burns and ingestion of objects), young adults (alcohol-related traffic accidents), and older adults (falls at home).
- Officials advise immediate urgent care for warning signs such as memory loss, sudden loss of consciousness or visual changes, and call for prevention at home by checking electrical and gas systems, using heaters responsibly with proper ventilation, and avoiding wood or coal combustion to reduce fires, poisoning and asphyxia.