Take precautions while bursting crackers

To ensure safety and provide timely medical care services to those who sustain burn injuries while bursting crackers on Diwali night, the district Health Department has deployed extra staff for the night shift.

A large number of cases of burn injuries, eye injuries and drunken brawls are reported on Diwali. Over the years, it has been seen that a large number of people sustain burn and eye injuries while bursting firecrackers.

As people consume alcohol, the number of drunken brawls too on the festival night is higher than that on normal days.

Further, the department has also asked the residents to take ample precautions while bursting firecrackers, especially if children are nearby. Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur said, “Children under the age of 10 years should not be allowed to burn firecrackers and in case they do, it must be done under the strict vigil of elders.”

The civil surgeon advised people to take precautions for burn injuries, ear and eye safety. It has been advised to keep first aid kits at homes. The residents have been advised to wear fitting clothes as loose clothes are more likely to catch fire.

Dr Kaur said a bucket of water nearby could be of great help in case of an emergency. The official said in case of clothes catching fire, the victim should be made to lie down on the ground and should be asked to roll over to extinguish the fire. Pouring cold water on the injury till the burning sensation ends would be of help, she added.

For the safety of ears, medical experts have recommended the use of earplugs. Instead of using a fire lighter or match stick, an incense stick should be used to light fire crackers. The use of glass or metal containers to burn crackers should be avoided.