gnagri

10 Oct

Make your Diwali safe

Author: Razor // Category: Lifestyle

Diwali - the festival of lights. There will be the customary diyas, fireworks, crackers, sparklers, etc, with people literally playing with fire. Trouble is, carelessness on the part of people also makes this festive season a time of rather avoidable tragedies. With burns, loss of eyesight and cases of burst eardrums the most common medical emergencies that occur, a little prudence will actually go a long way in ensuring that the season is all about happiness.

Here are some simple tips to keep this Diwali safe:

Before bursting fire crackers, look for an open space and ensure there are no combustible and inflammatory objects around. If so, remove them at once .
Always buy fireworks from licensed and reliable sellers.
Keep fireworks stock away while lighting a particular firework.
Never leave children unattended while they light fireworks or even if someone else is lighting them. Keep small children away from the bursting area Do not light fireworks indoors.
Use a sparkler, agarbatti (incense sticks) or a long piece of wood to light crackers as they keep you at a safe distance and do not have a naked flame.
Make sure you hold sparklers well away from you. Do not make circles in the air with lit sparklers.
Wear footwear while lighting fireworks.
Light only one firework at a time, by one person. Others should watch from a safe distance.
Do not wear nylon or polyester clothes when bursting crackers.
Never ignite aerial fireworks (like rockets) if there is any overhead obstruction present like trees and wires. Never try to light used fireworks.
Precautions aside, it is also imperative that people remain prepared to handle any mishap. Buckets of water and a first-aid kit should be kept near the bursting area. In the event of a fire, extinguish the flame by pouring water from the buckets.
If a person’s clothes catch fire, roll him on the ground or wrap him in a blanket, coat or some thick cotton clothing to douse the fire. If such material is not available, drench the person in water. Do not panic if blisters form. Blisters indicate that the injury is superficial and will heal well.
In case of burns, pour a lot of water on the affected area. A local application of anti-burn cream may be applied once the stinging sensation subsides. In case of serious burns, do not try and remove the clothing; just ensure that the fire has been completely extinguished. Then wrap the patient in a clean bedsheet and seek help.
In case the eye is affected, wash with cold water immediately and continuously for about 10 minutes. If irritation continues, keep washing. Prevent the victim from rubbing the eyes and take him/her to the nearest hospital.