Make Diwali a festival of lights (and not of fire!)
Ask a child to name an Indian festival and pat comes the reply! The response in ninety per cent of cases would be: Diwali - the festival of lights. This festival of fun, frolic and fireworks brings excitement and joy to the hearts of people even before it arrives on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar. Diwali is also the festival of Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi brings peace and prosperity to all. People decorate their homes, prepare sweets and buy new clothes and jewellery - all this to welcome the Goddess into their homes who comes to bless all. Traditionally people use ‘earthen lamps’ with cotton wicks and oil to light up the dark night. As man progresses, tradition gives way to modernity. Similarly, earthen lamps have replaced candles of various colours and forms. Electric lights of different shapes and sizes illuminate the dark, cold nights of Diwali.

PRECAUTIONS AT HOME

Diwali is incomplete without Fireworks. Old and young alike love the splendour and sparkle of fireworks. The earthen lamps that we light on Diwali night are generally placed on balcony and window ledges. So ensure that these are not near any flammable material like wood, cloth or paper. Do not leave lamps and candles burning all through the night long after the festivities are over. This can create a dangerous situation. Hence it is advisable that all lamps and candles are put off when nobody is likely to be around.

Usually, decorative lights are used on special occasions only and as such not much care is given to one's life. All lights, whether old or new ought to be checked thoroughly for loose connections, frayed wires, and cracked sockets by a qualified electrician. Don’t overload a single electric point with more than one string of light. On such occasions people tend to replace the correct rating fuse wire with a fuse wire of higher rating so as to avoid frequent blowing up of fuse. This is a dangerous practice. Fuse is for your protection so let it do its work faithfully and heed to the warning given by it. The electric lights should never be tied to any metal poles as any current leak can energise the pole and give a shock to anyone who touches the pole. All electric lights should also be kept away from water, as electricity and water don’t mix.

Remember not to become a statistic on Diwali day. It’s not difficult. 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. All of us enjoy the pleasure of light and sound but when disaster strikes the injured has to bear the cross. If you're going to set off fireworks at home this year, please take a few minutes to read through the guidelines. Your planning and your reactions could help prevent a serious injury.

1) Store your fireworks safely:In a closed box, somewhere cool and dry, out of reach of children and animals and away from all sources of heat, until the time they're needed. Locked away is best. Don't keep the box under the stairs or in a passageway.

2) Pets hate bangs and flashes: Pets get very frightened on fireworks night, so keep all your pets indoors and close all the curtains to make things calmer. Remember it's 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.

3) Think ahead and be prepared: 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. Have a full bucket of water handy for any emergency, and for putting used sparklers into. If you have the chance to get together with some other families, try to go to the home with the biggest open space and safest surroundings.

PRECAUTIONS OUTSIDE HOME

Just like precautions at home are important, precautions outside home are equally important. These are the things you definitely don't do!
1) Never try to re-ignite the fireworks that don’t light in the first instance. Never give ANY firework item to small children. Never throw fireworks at another person. Never carry fireworks in your pocket. Never shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers. Never experiment, modify, or attempt to make your own fireworks.

2) Watch what you wear: Loose clothing can very easily catch fire, and should not be worn near any fire or fireworks. Long dangly scarves can be risky too. If anyone's clothing does catch fire, follow the rule: Stop - Don't run.Drop to the ground.Roll to put out the flames.

3) One at a time please: You (or another adult that you choose) must be the only person letting off fireworks. 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. Light the tip of each firework at arm's length, using fireworks lighter or fuse wick. Stand well back immediately. If one doesn't go off, don't go back to it - it could still be live, and could go off unexpectedly in your face. Right at the end of your fireworks night, douse the 'duds' with lots of water, keep it soaking in a bucket of water. Never throw left over fireworks onto a bonfire.

4) Different fireworks mean different hazards: Read the instructions on each one carefully (by flashlight, never an open flame) and follow them properly. Rockets, for instance, should be launched from a rocket launcher, not from a bottle. Sparklers need careful handling - light them one at a time at arm's length; don't give one to any child under 5 years of age; make sure that anyone holding a sparkler wears gloves; and put each spent one into a bucket of water as soon as it's gone out.

5) No fooling: Putting fireworks in your pocket is stupid and dangerous. Throwing fireworks at people is stupid and dangerous and illegal; it's a criminal offence to do so.

6) Fireworks and booze don't mix: Drinking alcohol presents an added danger when there are fireworks and bonfires around. So don't drink during your fireworks display.

7) Watch that person: Keep children well away from fireworks, and never let a child handle or light one. Even sparklers can be dangerous if unsupervised! Do not give sparklers to a child under five. Make sure that children are aware of the dangers.

8) Don’t light flying fireworks if there is a heavy wind. Never take unnecessary risks while lighting fireworks, just to show off. Pool your pocket money and have a professional perform pyrotechnics for the benefit of many.

Wish you a happy and safe Diwali!