Top Expert tips to celebrate a safe & happy Diwali this year

Diwali is one of the biggest and most celebrated festival, is synonymous with crackers, lights, diyas, new clothes, sweets and togetherness. The preparations start many weeks in advance with cleaning the clutter from homes. Making different sweets and namkeens to welcome guests. Shopping for gifts for the loved ones.

To keep the excitement up and to make delightful memories, it is extremely important to follow certain safety precautions for avoiding any mishaps caused by diyas, crackers and fireworks, so that everyone can enjoy.

Asha Patel at Safari Kid mentioned that how they teach kids to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali without any crackers by painting diyas, praying to Gooddess Lakshmi and make other decorations for home. While no one should compromise on the fun and festive quotient of the festival, it is equally important that we contribute our bit to make this occasion environment-friendly.

Sathish Kumar Thiyagarajan, Head of Curriculum at Amelio Early Education says “The best way would be to explain kids the harmful effects of crackers on the environment. And if already bought the crackers, make sure lightning them at open spaces like ground or terrace. Not to forget, the fireworks should be done only under the presence of parents and only from a safe distance.”

Hazel Siromoni, Managing Director of Maple Bear South Asia advices “Do consider what you are dressing your kids in. No doubt, Diwali is a festival of dressing up in a new clothes with fabrics like silk or synthetic, but ensure that the kids change to cotton outfits while playing with any fireworks. The reason being, cotton holds the minimum risk of catching the fire. Although with the pollution increasing, I will suggest we should celebrate a cracker free Diwali this year.”

Satyendra Gupta, Cofounder of Mini Marvel Gurgaon  says “We should even take care while lighting diyas at home and where we are placing them. And try to use more eco-friendly ways to celebrate diwali. It’s the wisest to not burn crackers on Diwali for all the obvious reasons, if you are doing so then take care what you are waring and where you are lighting up crackers. Kids below 5 years should not be allowed to light any crackers of any types.”

Parents must never allow young children to handle fireworks without close adult supervision. Even seemingly harmless sparklers and flower pots can be dangerous for very young kids especially to those under age five. Here are some additional safety tips to keep in mind.

  • If you are buying crackers, buy only good quality crackers and fireworks from licensed shops which have been checked for quality and safety.
  • Make the kids light fireworks outside the house
  • Have them hold sparklers away from the body
  • Keep flower pots and chakris on even flat ground while lighting them
  • Kids should not be lighting up rockets and if you are doing it for them then do so only in an open ground
  • Ensure proper distance from the fireworks away at a distance while they are lighting them
  • Make sure kids are wearing closed footwear and close fitting clothes of thick material instead of fancy clothes which are loose or flowing garments while lighting fireworks
  • Keep a water bucket and burn ointment or aloe vera gel handy
  • Check the area before igniting fireworks to ensure that no inflammable materials are nearby
  • Ensure they light only one firework at a time
  • Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water

So with these tips, open your doors for Goddess Lakshmi to bless you and your family with health and prosperity!

Wish you a very Happy Diwali!