Diwali is the festival of lights and the beauty of oil burning lamps and firecrackers is worth seeing. But along with this lavish celebration also comes high risk of injuries and accidents, which can be affected due to firecrackers and pollution. We need to follow simple safe steps to welcome all the good new beginnings that come to our doorstep this festival.
Things to keep in mind for eye protection while burning crackers:
Dr. Deepti Mehta, consultant ophthalmology at Care Hospitals, Hi-Tech City, Hyderabad, shared the following:
- Wear safety glasses: Glasses can provide the first line of protection against any accidental flying debris. Possible effects of phosphorus smoke and pollution that will be in the air on Diwali.
- Do not touch or rub your eyes after burning crackers: Fireworks contain chemicals that can cause severe allergies and dry eyes, so eyes need basic protection.
- Protect children: Children should be allowed to burn crackers under guidance, educate them about safety measures and the importance of safety measures. Be sure to put them in a bucket of cold water to reduce toxic smoke emissions. Train them to maintain an arm’s length from crackers, use incense sticks when burning them. They need to be educated to wear loose, comfortable cotton clothes while burning crackers.
- Avoid sparklers: Although sparklers seem harmless and safe they can reach extremely high temperatures. An injury to your cornea can cause severe chemical burns in the blink of an eye and threaten vision.
- Be careful with your pets: Keep pets away from fireworks. Pets can become frightened and frightened and smoke unpredictably and cause accidents that are unexpected and inappropriate.
- Keep your head and face away: Keep your head and face away from your eyes to avoid accidental inhaling hot debris as well as harmful fumes while watching fireworks.
- Keep a first aid kit ready: There is no doubt that prevention is better than cure, but take proactive first aid measures in case of accidental accidents. Keep a kit at home with lubricant eye drops and gels. In case of eye injury, wash with cold water, apply lubricating drops and go to an eye specialist as soon as possible.
- Be careful and follow local laws and guidelines: Always follow safety rules when using fireworks. Do not buy firecrackers from unauthorized and unlicensed sellers. Also, follow guidelines on the size and type of fireworks. The protocol for bursting crackers should be strictly followed in open spaces and away from residential high-rise apartments.
Children’s eye care tips for a sparkling Diwali
Dr. Neeraj Shah, Chief Medical Officer, Cataract, Cornea and Refractive at Sankara Eye Hospital, Jaipur, shares some essential eye care tips for children during Diwali:
- limit fireworks displays: It is essential to limit children’s exposure to exceptionally bright and noisy firecrackers, especially those that produce intense flashes of light. Eye protection is important while bursting crackers. Eyewear is especially needed to provide protection from fireworks.
- observation is key:Children are naturally curious, and they may be attracted to fireworks. Always supervise them closely during fireworks displays to prevent them from handling or getting too close to the fireworks, which could result in serious eye injury.
- Education on Fireworks Safety: Teach children about the importance of keeping a safe distance from fireworks. Make sure they never attempt to re-light fireworks that have not gone off as intended, as this can lead to accidents. While burning crackers, keep your face away from the crackers
- avoid sparklers: Sparklers, often considered safe for children, can actually be dangerous. They burn at high temperatures and can cause irritation or eye injury. It is best to avoid them completely.
- Wash hands thoroughly: Make sure children wash their hands thoroughly after disposing of fireworks. To prevent the transfer of potentially harmful chemicals they should avoid touching their face, especially their eyes, until their hands are clean.
- stay away from cracker debris: The area may be littered with debris after fireworks are set off. Make sure children stay away from these areas to prevent accidental eye injuries from debris or small explosive materials.
- Use lamps safely: Diyas and candles are an integral part of Diwali celebrations. Teach children to handle these carefully to avoid burns or accidents. Always keep them out of reach to avoid accidental contact.
- prevent exposure to smoke: Firework smoke can cause eye irritation. If possible, celebrate with eco-friendly and low-smoke fireworks. Keep the area well ventilated to reduce exposure to smoke.
- Eye drops and first aid: Keep basic eye drops and first aid kit with you in case of minor burns or accidents. In case of eye injury during the festive season, medical help should be sought immediately.
Tips to keep in mind during Diwali:
Dr Ananya Ganguly, Consultant, Pediatrics and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Services at Disha Eye Hospital, shares some simple yet useful tips to keep children safe while bursting crackers:
- If any splash (or any hot and irritating thing) gets into the eyes, wash them immediately with clean water. Use only clean water. Tap water, drinking water – any clean water will work. If possible, you can also apply ice or cold compress. It is important to visit the nearest doctor as soon as possible. Many eye hospitals keep special night and emergency facilities open during Diwali.
- Wearing plain glasses (no “power”) goes a long way in protecting your eyes. Many times accidents occur when someone attempts to burst crackers in a dangerous manner in the spirit of excitement and adventure. This is extremely foolish. Often, we come across patients who have been injured when a bomb under an earthen pot explodes and seriously injures a person. Other times, a firecracker does not initially burn and then someone tries to light it again, only to have it suddenly explode in the person’s face. These have been the cause of hundreds of serious injuries during Diwali over the years and should be banned.
- Do not cover the crackers with glass bottles, tins, boxes or earthen pots for sound effect or added impact. When they fly into the surrounding area they are capable of breaking into small pieces and causing permanent damage to your eyes. Burst them in an open place under the sky.
- Do not go near firecrackers that have failed to explode. Try and immediately extinguish any sparks or sparks that you can see, but from a distance.
- If you are wearing contact lenses, it is advisable not to watch or burst crackers and fireworks as prolonged exposure to high heat can cause eye irritation.
- In case of eye injury, remember not to rub your eyes or use home remedies like turmeric powder, coconut oil, etc. on the eye or its surrounding area. If there are any small particles inside the eyes, the injury can be even more serious. Instead, wash your eyes with clean water for about 10 minutes and then consult an eye specialist as soon as possible.
- Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly with hand wash or soap after making rangoli or handling fireworks and before touching your eyes. The colored and chalk powders and chemicals used in crackers and fireworks can cause irritation and itching in the eyes and, in some cases, cause irreparable damage.
- Although fireworks look attractive and bright, it is still better to stay away from them. Do not allow small children to burn crackers alone. If they are bursting crackers, there should always be adult supervision and guidance.
- And finally, keep the numbers of your ophthalmologist and the nearest eye hospital/eye care center handy.
