Imagine you’re sitting inside your car and suddenly, it’s hit by firecrackers. Nothing to worry you might say. Yes, of course. It’s firecrackers, not missiles. But what if the car does catch fire. Or consider this: You are a small-time vendor who makes a living by ferrying electronic items for dealers. And one day you lose washing machines and television sets to a fire caused by a cracker in the storage facility in your house. What do you do?
These two scenarios may sound a bit extreme but they were a reality last year. Consider the following incidents that the Hindustan Times reported on Diwali in 2015:
A printing factory in Greater Noida caught fire and it took over seven hours to put off the fire. The smoke caused breathlessness.
In Sector 59, Noida, a car caught fire as firecrackers hit the vehicle.
In Ghaziabad, 21 incidents of fire were reported on Diwali. In one major incident, timber and plywood stored in a warehouse caught fire after a firecracker fell inside.It took 10 fire tenders to control the fire.
A vendor who transported electronic goods incurred major debt after he lost three washing machines and two television sets to a fire. The fire was triggered by firecrackers.
According to another report by the same newspaper, Gurgaon witnessed three major fire incidents among the 35 that were reported last year around Diwali. There were no causalties but property worth crores was destroyed. The report cites firemen saying that the incidents were caused either due to bursting of firecrackers or short circuits.
It’s almost as if burns, injuries and incidents of fire have become side-effects of Diwali. The damage done to property might be recovered in time, but the same cannot be said about injuries.
Enough said! Are you sold on staying away from crackers? No? The following video we came across on YouTube that shows a firecracker stall on fire may make you a little more careful this Diwali.
A few pointers for a safe festival of lights:
Stand at an arm's length while lighting a firecracker.
Have buckets of water or sand around in case of fire. Having a fire extinguisher around is also a good idea.
When lighting aerial crackers, such as rockets, make sure they are not facing any open window, door or a gate.
Store firecrackers away from inflammable substances or sources of fire. Store them in closed boxes.
Don't examine firecrackers that did not burst. Light a new one.
Never light crackers in your own hands. Don't light firecracker bombs by bringing the bomb close to the incense. Always take the incense or the candle close to the bomb.
Avoid burning firecrackers on roads. This may cause accidents.
Have a first-aid kit around so that a minor injury can be treated quickly.
Do not experiment with firecrackers.
If a firecracker doesn't burst after being ignited, don't keep trying. Move away and throw some water on it to diffuse it.
Picture used for representative purpose only.
