Ignorance and Carelessness during Diwali may Cause Disaster due to Fire

Diwali, the festival of lights, brings fun and togetherness. For children, fireworks, new cloths and sweets make this festival the most eagerly awaited festival of the year.

Unfortunately, injuries from fireworks spoil the fun for many families – and though Diwali is a holiday for most of us, fire departments and hospitals around the country are on constant alert to tackle the various mishaps.

Freak accidents invariably occur when children are allowed to play with fireworks unattended. The most common reason is the wrong handling of fireworks.

Parents need to take some precautions to avoid such tragedies. For instance, it is extremely important to know the difference between a legal consumer firework and a dangerous explosive devices.

Fundamentally, children MUST understand that fireworks are not toys, that they burn at approximately the same temperature as a household match and that they can ignite cloths and cause burns and injuries if used improperly.

Parents must never allow young children to handle fireworks without close adult supervision. Every seemingly harmless sparklers and ‘flower pots’ can be dangerous for very young children, especially to those under age five.

Most of these and similar non-exclusive fireworks can create havoc if lighted in busy areas. Rockets can shoot off into non-intended directions to injure people and even enter homes to set things inside on fire.

Fireworks Safety Tips For Children during Diwali

 

We often do not realise the potential danger, and therefore ignore even the most rudimentary precautions. Caution and proper care can ensure a safe and fun-filled Diwali – it all boils down to a few simple do’s and don’ts.

Never allow your children to play with fireworks unattended

DO’s

• Supervise children while they light fireworks


• Make them light fireworks outside the house


• Have them hold sparklers away from the body with the help of a stick.


• Keep ‘flower pots’ and ‘chakras’ on even or flat ground while lighting them


• Have them light up rockets only in open ground


• Ensure proper distance from the fireworks away at a distance while they are lightening them


• Make sure they are wearing closed footwear and close-fitting clothes of cotton cloth(inside of loose or flowing ointment) while lightening fireworks


• Keep a water bucket and burn ointment (or aloe vera gel) handy


• Check the area before igniting fireworks to ensure that no inflammable materials are nearby


• Ensure they light only one firework at a time


• Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water

DON’Ts

• Let them bend over fireworks while lightening them, or approach them if in doubt about whether they are live or not


• Let them light fireworks while holding them in hand


• Let them keep extra fireworks in pockets


• Let them wear Nylon cloths – cotton is safest while lightening crackers


• Let them try to light used fireworks


• Let them light firecrackers with matchstick, but rather a candle of agarbatti – this ensures sufficient distance between their hands and the cracker


• Let them use fireworks indoor


• Let them put fireworks into any container before lightening them up


• Let them mis anything with the contents of fireworks or make firework at home


• Let them ignite aerial fireworks where overhead obstruction (trees, wires, etc.) or even when heavy wind exists


• Let them throw or point fireworks at other people

This article is issued in public interest by offoIndia team, Please share this to your friend and family.

Ignorance and Carelessness during Diwali may Cause Disaster due to Fire