Fireworks Safety For This Diwali Celebration
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Diwali is the perfect festival of joy, happiness, fireworks and sweets. All of us enjoy the pleasure of light and sound but when disaster strikes the injured has to bear the cross. All accidents due to fireworks occur as a result of carelessness, negligence and ignorance. But these can certainly be avoided by observing some very simple precautions. If you are going to set off fireworks at home this year, ensure following precautions are taken for Fireworks Safety.
Be prepared
- Have a full bucket of water and sand handy for any emergency, and for putting used sparklers into. A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires.
- Different fireworks mean different hazards. Read the instructions on each one carefully (by flashlight, never an open flame) and follow them properly.
- Make sure that children are aware of the dangers and Fireworks should only be used with close adult supervision.
- Never give ANY firework item to small children.
- Before you start, make sure you’ll be giving yourself enough room in a safe place to get to and from your box of fireworks while the display is going on.
Firework display safety
- Consider whether the site is suitable and large enough for your display, including a bonfire if you are having one.
- Think about what you would do if things go wrong. Make sure there is someone who will be responsible for calling the emergency services.
- Don’t let anyone other than the display operator or firing team into the firing zone or the safety zone around it.
- Never try to re-ignite the fireworks that don’t light in the first instance.
- Never shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers.
- Light the tip of each firework at arm’s length, using fireworks lighter or fuse wick.
- If one doesn’t go off, don’t go back to it – it could still be live, and could go off unexpectedly on your face.
- Think about who will operate the display. Don’t allow anyone else – especially children – to do so while your display is going on.
- Let the fireworks off one at a time (not lots at once) and don’t rush.
- Make sure that the person lighting the fire and any helpers know what to do in the event of a burn injury or clothing catching fire.
- If anyone’s clothing does catch fire, follow the rule: Stop – Don’t run. Drop to the ground. Roll to put out the flames.
Store your fireworks safely
- Don’t keep the box under the stairs or in a passageway.
- Putting fireworks in your pocket is stupid and dangerous.
- Never experiment, modify, or attempt to make your own fireworks.
- Never take unnecessary risks while lighting fireworks.
- Store your fireworks in a closed box, somewhere cool and dry, out of reach of children and animals and away from all sources of heat.
Watch that person
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- Make sure that your kids or children are aware of the dangers.
- Do not give sparklers to a child under five and never let a child handle or light one.
- Clothing such as synthetic or loose clothing should not be worn near any fire or fireworks.
- Throwing fireworks at people is stupid, dangerous and illegal.
- Drinking alcohol presents an added danger when there are fireworks and bonfires around. So don’t drink and allow drunkards in or around during your fireworks display.
Community Display
- Organize a community display of fireworks rather than individuals handling crackers.
- When you are planning a Community firework display, set up a committee with each person taking responsibility for a particular task.
- If you are putting on a fireworks display, it is your responsibility to keep spectators safe.
- After lighting a firework, move away from it and stay out of the area until it has gone off.
- Light fireworks away from trees that can catch fire or cause the fireworks to ricochet into crowds.
- Warn neighbors so that they can keep pets indoors.
- Get a public address system (a loud hailer will do as a minimum) to give any instructions, to evacuate the area in an emergency.
- Check whether your insurance covers any firework-related injuries – look for a company that’s used to insuring public events.
- Never take unnecessary risks while lighting fireworks, just to show off.
Reduce Noise Pollution
- The nuisance due to noise of firework cannot be ignored. This is primarily for all those people who have infants or newborn, pets, patients or old people at homes or in neighborhood. Please refrain from buying fire crackers which create noise and air pollution.
- Pets get very frightened on fireworks night. Remember it is not just your own fireworks that cause distress, so you may have to have your pets indoors on several nights when other displays are taking place.
Proceed with Caution
Usually, electric lights or decorative lights are used for Diwali decorations. The electric lights should never be tied to any metal poles as any current leak can energize the pole and give a shock to anyone who touches the pole. Never try to re-ignite the fireworks that don’t light in the first instance. Ensure that earthen lamps are not near any flammable material like wood, cloth or paper. Never take unnecessary risks while lighting fireworks and if a fire break out follow the simple rule to get everyone out and stay out and Call the Fire Brigade (dial 101).
All accidents due to fireworks can certainly be avoided by observing some very simple precautions. Be prepared, read the instructions and allow Fireworks only with close adult supervision. Never try to re-ignite and take unnecessary risks just to show off.
