Tips for a Safe and Healthy Diwali

The festival of lights, Diwali, brings fun, joy and togetherness. Diwali marks the triumph of good over evil and dispels darkness. Unfortunately, a few people lose their eyesight and sustain burns during the festival. Property is also damaged in a few cases.

We provide you a few do’s and don’ts that will ensure you and family a safe Diwali.

The Do's For a Safe Diwali: 

• Burst crackers in an open space and ensure there are no combustible and inflammatory things around.
• Wear earplugs while exposed to explosive crackers. It might sound a bit fancy, but if we ignore it the excessive noise might damage our ears in the long run.
• Wear footwear while lighting fireworks
• Always buy fireworks from licensed and reliable sellers and follow the instructions on the label.
• Use a sparkler, agarbatti (incense stick) or a long fire wood to light a cracker as they keep you at a safe distance and reduce the chances of burns.
• While igniting aerial fire works like rockets ensure that they are not facing any opening like an open window, door or an open building which may cause fire accidents.
• Avoid loose flowing clothes. Wear cotton clothes that fit close to your body while playing with fireworks.
• Light a firecracker and quickly move away. If a firecracker or flower pot does not burn on the first try, do not try to light it again. There is a good chance that it might burst unexpectedly. Instead, douse duds with water and then dispose them safely.
• Keep a first aid kit and buckets of water handy. In case of major burns, wrap the victim in a clean bed sheet and extinguish the fire.
• In case of eye burns, wash the eye with tap water for 10 minutes and take the victim to a hospital
• Adult supervision is mandatory when kids play around with fireworks. Ensure that your children don't engage in dangerous pranks such as throwing lighted crackers or sparklers at others, or try to make fireworks themselves.
• Put burnt fireworks inside a metal container to safely dispose them later. Do not leave them lying around. If any human or animal steps on a hot firework, it can cause severe burns.
• Firecrackers, bombs and flowerpots should not be lighted holding them. It is always safer to light them from the side without bending over them. Move away quickly before they burst.
• After you finish make arrangements to clear up all the mess. Wash your hands and feet as the chemicals in the fireworks can be harmful.

The Don'ts For a Safe Diwali:

• Strictly avoid using matches and lighters for bursting crackers as they have open flames that can be dangerous
• Never experiment with crackers or make your own fire works
• Avoid bursting fire works on roads
• Never ever light a cracker in your hand.
• Don't keep your face close to the cracker while trying to light it
• Never try to burst crackers indoors or from inside a vehicle
• Do not have fireworks in your pocket while igniting another
• Do not tend to burst crackers when someone else is trying to ignite one
• When crackers take time or do not ignite immediately, do not indulge in trying to burst them. Rush to a safe place immediately. Throw some water to diffuse them
• Never re-light a firework which has not burnt properly. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

 Eating Healthy This Diwali:

• Sweets and Festivals go hand in hand. We provide you a few tips on adopting healthy ways of eating this Diwali.
• Indians are prone to diabetes and so it is always advisable to keep the intake of sugar and starch to its minimal.
• If you tend to gain weight more easily, it is suggested to keep your taste buds in some control otherwise all your weight loss strategy will go for a toll.
• Avoid sweets that have silver coating as aluminium is a hazardous metal that can accumulate in our body tissues and can also enter the brain.
• Say ‘no’ to alcohol. It can not only give you a hangover but also is unsafe if you must drive your car.
• If you are a diabetic minimize the amount of sweet you consume.
• Avoid using excessive ghee or oil, if you make sweets at home
• Before eating snacks, remember to drink water to bring in the feeling of fullness.
• Avoid carbonated cold drinks. Instead, have some natural refreshing drink like lemon juice, coconut water, or some other fruit juice.
• Instead of those ghee-loaded traditional sweets, pick up fruit baskets or dried fruits for your friends and family. Next, choose more eco-friendly options such as paper bags and such instead of glossy wrapping paper and polythene bags to wrap your gifts.
• Don't try to eat away all your gifted chocolates at once. Give these chocolates to the young ones in the family, neighbourhood or even to the children in the nearby orphanage! Enjoy happiness while sharing and keep yourself away from worries of weight gain at the same time.

This Diwali shed all the unpleasantness that has occurred with your family or friends in the past. Make a fresh start, wish them a ‘Happy Diwali’ and embrace them in joy.