Firecrackers: Important Fire
Safety Precautions To Be
Observed For Diwali

Diwali is around the corner and with the festival of lights gets the
sky illuminated with firecrackers. Bursting firecrackers is a ritual that
has been observed during Diwali for a long time. However,
firecrackers can be dangerous when not handled properly, and
firecrackers can cause serious injuries. Therefore, it is important to
follow certain measures in order to make sure that you and your
family members are safe around firecrackers. We would advise you
to observe the following precautions while bursting crackers this
Diwali.

1. ALWAYS BUY BRANDED FIRECRACKERS

It is important to buy branded firecrackers as non-branded or lowquality crackers can contain hazardous chemicals that can lead to
serious health issues. Always buy crackers from licensed shops
that are regulated by government agencies. Buying sub-standard
fire-crackers can be harmful to the safety of you and your family
members.

2. STORE CRACKERS IN A SAFE PLACE

Since firecrackers are highly combustible therefore they must be
stored in a place where they do not catch fire. A single spark of fire
can lead to an explosion. Use sealed containers made of hard
plastic or wood to store crackers instead of storing them in boxes
made of cardboard and polyethylene bags.

3. KEEP A BUCKET OF SAND AND WATER NEARBY

Accidents can happen despite taking adequate precautionary
measure but you can minimize the impact by ensuring that you
have proper means to handle it. While burning crackers, keep a
bucket of water and sand nearby so that burnt crackers can be
disposed of easily.

4. WEAR COTTON CLOTHES

Clothes made of silk, nylon, polyester and other similar material
catch fire easily. While celebrating Diwali and burning crackers,
make sure that you are wearing clothes made of cotton. Besides
cotton, you can also wear clothes made of denim and Khadi that do
not catch fire easily.

5. BURST CRACKERS IN AN OPEN AREA

Bursting crackers in closed and heavily populated areas can be
dangerous. Sparks from crackers can start a fire leading to the loss
of life and property. To avoid any such mishap, avoid bursting
crackers in areas that are densely populated or have electrical
equipment nearby. While bursting rockets, point them towards the
sky and position them carefully.

6. AVOID ALCOHOL WHILE BURSTING CRACKERS

Alcohol can lead to delayed response and you might not be able to
move away from a burning cracker quickly. Avoid drinking alcohol
while bursting crackers and if you have consumed alcohol, stay
away from crackers.

7. KEEP A FIRST AID KIT HANDY

Keep a first aid containing band-aid, antiseptic lotion and anti inflammatory medicines nearby while burning crackers. If you or
anyone sustains a burn, use the first aid kit and rush to seek
professional medical help immediately. Also, keep the contact
number of emergency responders handy so that they can be
contacted within no time.

Dr. Santosh N. Madrewar
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist
Nimai Hospitals
Center for Mother & Child Health
Aurangabad.