DEEPAVALI, the festival of lights is around the corner and people are busy shopping clothes, sweets, diyas and crackers. This festival is symbolized as destruction of evil forces and entry of good and positive forces in life. But today, it has become a symbol of pomp and show, grandeur and hedonism.
This has now become a menace and at times FESTIVAL OF DARKNESS due to ill effects of bursting crackers.
Although GOVT has made many appeals creating public awareness, BURSTING CRACKERS is at its peak this season causing noise and air pollution. So are the increasing number of burns and eye injuries especially in children.
Hundreds of people including many children get injured every year and few have total blindness. Many are innocent bystanders/ onlookers while driving/ walking which can be prevented.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO MAKE THIS DEEPAVALI A SAFE DEEPAVALI
DO ‘S FOR THIS DEEPAVALI
- PURCHASE FIREWORKS FROM AN AUTHORISED / LICENSED FIREWORK AGENCY AND SHOP.
- STORE FIREWORK IN DRY CLOSED AND SAFE PLACE.
- KEEP IT AWAY FROM SOURCE OF HEAT AND LIGHT AND AWAY FROM TODDLERS AND CHILDREN
- USE FIREWORK ONLY OUTDOOR
- ORGANISE COMMUNITY EVENTS RATHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL BURSTING CRACKERS
- USE A LONG CANDLE/INCENSE STICKS TO IGNITE CRACKERS
- MAINTAIN DISTANCE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND CRACKERS AND GIVE ADEQUATE TIME TO MOVE AWAY FROM IT AFTER LIGHTING IT.
- KEEP A BUCKET OF WATER READY, IT CAN BE HANDY AT TIMES OF BURNS.
DON’T’S FOR THIS DEEPAVALI
- DON’T LIGHT CRACKERS HOLDING THEM IN HAND.
- DON’T LIGHT CRACKERS IN CROWDED, CONGESTED AND NARROW PLACES.
- DON’T IGNITE CRACKERS INDOORS.
- DON’T IGNITE CRACKERS WITH TIN/ GLASS CONTAINER OVER THEM.
- DON’T TRY TO RE-IGNITE CRACKERS IF THEY DON’T LIGHT AT FIRST INSTANCE.
- NO TWO PEOPLE SHOULD LIGHT SIMULTANEOUSLY, LET ONE PERSON LET OFF FIREWORK.
- DON’T THROW FIREWORKS AT PEOPLE.
- DON’T WEAR LOOSE AND LONG DRESSES, ALSO DON’T WEAR SYNTHETIC CLOTHES.
- DON’T DRINK WHILE FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND BONFIRES AROUND- IT IS HAZARDOUS.
- DON’T LEAVE CHILDREN UNSUPERVISED WHILE BURSTING CRACKERS. DON’T GIVE SPARKLERS TO CHILDREN BELOW 5 YEARS.
- DON’T LIGHT CRACKERS WHEN THERE IS HEAVY WIND.
- DON’T APPLY OINTMENTS/ CREAM / OIL IF THERE IS A BURN.
- DON’T BEND OR CROUCH ON THE CRACKER WHILE LIGHING THEM.
TIPS FOR BURNS
- IN CASE OF BURNS REMOVE THE SMOLDERING CLOTHES, WASH THE AREA WITH PLENTY OF WATER. WRAP THEM IN CLEAN COTTON BEDSHEET.
- IF ANY CLOTHING CATCHES FIRE, FOLLOW THE RULE—
STOP, DON’T RUN, DROP TO GROUND AND ROLL TO PUT OFF FLAMES.
- IF THERE IS EYE INJURY, WASH THOROUGHLY WITH RUNNING TAP WATER FOR 10 MIN, RUSH TO NEAR BY HOSPITAL FOR FIRST AID.
DON’T DRIVE RECKLESSLY WHILE GETTING THE BURN VICTIM TO HOSPITAL, DRIVE SAFELY.
BEING A RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN OF INDIA LETS DISCOURAGE CHILD LABOUR AND THOSE COMPANIES WHO USE CHILDREN UNDER 14 YRS TO MANUFACTURE THESE CRACKERS.
IT’S ALSO OUR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO AVOID NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION, LET US PROTECT NATURE AND PETS FROM THESE CRACKERS.
LET’S TAKE A VOW NOT TO BURST CRACKERS….. THIS DEEPAVALI, INSTEAD MAKE IT A CELEBRATION OF LIGHT RATHER THAN DARKNESS.