Safety tips on diwali

Wear heavier cotton clothes while lighting crackers so as to ensure maximum safety from fire.

Make sure a responsible adult whom the children listen to, is present when they are bursting firecrackers. Children often tend to listen to their favourite aunt or uncle on these matters.

While lighting the crackers stand at an arm's length from the cracker.

Read the instructions and follow all safety precautions recommended for the use of fire works. Light crackers in open spaces.

Keep buckets of water and blankets ready, in case a firebreaks out. Store water and keep it ready near the place of fireworks celebrations.

Keep a wet towel ready to cover your exposed parts when some crackers may accidentally burst.

Keep small portable extinguishers handy for urgent use.

Make sure you buy fireworks from a licensed shop. Always keep the fireworks in a closed box.

Store crackers away from sources of fire or ignition also keep them away from the reach of children.

Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water. In this manner you can avoid people from stepping on to and hurting their feet from used fireworks, which are thrown on the ground.

Rush the victim to the hospital immediately. If fingers or toes are burned, try and separate them with dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressings.

Consult the doctor as soon as possible for proper medication and consult an ophthalmologist immediately in case of eye injuries.

Don't burn crackers in crowded, congested places, narrow lanes, near sources of fire or inside the house.

Don't let children burst crackers unaccompanied by an adult. Keep an eye on them constantly. Don't put fireworks in your pocket.

Don't light crackers on your hands. People have a tendency of lighting the fuses by bringing the cracker to the candle or incense rather than bringing the candle or incense to the fuse. Moving the candle of the incense to the fuse is the recommended method.

Usually, decorative lights and electric lights should never be tied to any metal poles as any current leak can energise the pole and give a shock to anyone who touches the pole.

Drinking alcohol presents an added danger when there are fireworks and bonfires around. So don't drink during your fireworks display.

And last, but not least, remember that Diwali is a festival to be enjoyed by all. So, celebrate in a manner that does not cause inconvenience or harm to your neighbour.