Fatal accidents can occur if care is not taken while lighting diyas, lamps, candles and firecrackers

Don’t let accidents dampen festive fun

Fatal accidents can occur if care is not taken while lighting diyas, lamps, candles and firecrackers

The festival of lights is enjoyed by everyone in the family. Lighting diyas and bursting crackers are two of the most prominent features of this festival. But one needs to be careful. Accidents can occur if care is not taken while lighting diyas, lamps, candles and fire crackers. Though we all know that we must burst crackers only outdoors. But, that’s not enough for some. Seema Sahani says she always keeps a watch on her two kids while they are bursting crackers. “I do allow my children to light crackers anywhere near our home. I take them somewhere far away where the chances of the crackers entering someone’s house are least. Their father always insists that I buy crackers of reputed companies only even if they come at a steep price. I have given both my children proper instructions on how to light the fireworks.” Sahani said. She adds that enjoyment is good to a certain extent but not at the cost of safety. But, in spite of all the precautions one may take, a fire can still break out during Diwali. So, keeping at least a few buckets of water handy is a good idea. Given that many people stay in co-operative housing societies, it’s always beneficial to come together to burst crackers than going for it alone. Suddha Patankar says she is lucky to stay in a society where everyone comes together in the society compound to burst crackers. “I make sure that my son keeps his hands straight while lighting the crackers. This helps in increasing the distance between his body and the crackers. We are lucky to have a very spacious compound which makes it easy to light crackers. I tell my child that he should never try to make modifications to a firework or re-ignite a firework which fails to burst,” says Patankar. Though everyone wants to look her best on Diwali, one needs to be careful of the clothing. Loose or flairy clothes catch fire easily. “Wearing synthetic material clothes is never the right thing to do. It is always preferable to wear thick cotton clothes. Also, my mother always insists that earthen lamps lit on Diwali should not be placed near inflammable objects like wood, clothes or paper,” says Surubhi A.