Happy Diwali 2023: Tips To Protect Eyes While Burning Crackers

Along with this adorned celebration comes a high risk of injuries and accidents that can cast a shadow due to firecrackers and pollution.

Tips To Protect Eyes While Burning Crackers

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Diwali is a Festival of Lights and the beauty of oil-lit lamps and crackers is a mesmerising sight to behold. But along with this adorned celebration comes a high risk of injuries and accidents that can cast a shadow due to firecrackers and pollution. We need to follow simple  safe steps to welcome all the good new beginnings this festival brings to our doorsteps.

Things To Keep In Mind To Protect Eyes While Burning Crackers:

Dr. Deepti Mehta, who is a Consultant - Ophthalmology, at CARE Hospitals, Hi-Tec City, Hyderabad shared the following:

• Wear safety glasses: Glasses can provide first-line defence against any accidental flying debris. Phosphorous fumes and potential I’ll effects of pollution that cloud the air on Diwali.
• Do not touch or rub your eyes after igniting crackers: Fireworks are loaded with chemicals that can flare up serious allergies and dry eyes so the eye needs basic protection.
• Protect children: Children are to be allowed under guidance to ignite firecrackers Educate them on safety measures and the importance of safety measures. Be sure to discard them in cold water kept in a bucket to reduce the toxic emission of fumes. Train them to keep an arm's distance from fire crackers While light them make use of an incense stick. They need to be educated to wear loose comfortable cotton clothes while lighting crackers.
• Avoid sparklers: Though sparklers seem harmless and safe they can reach extremely high temperatures. A splinter injury on your cornea can even cause severe chemical burns within the blink of an eye and can be vision-threatening.
• Be cautious with your pets: Keep pets away from fire-crackers. Pets can become terrified and phobic and can act unpredictably potentially running smock and causing accidents that are unforeseen and unwarranted.
• Keep your head and face away: When observing fireworks keep your eyes head and face away to avert accidental falls of heated debris as well as noxious fumes.
• Have a ready first aid kit: Prevention is no doubt better than cure but in case of accidental mishaps take proactive first aid measures. Maintain a kit with lubricant eye drops and gels at home. In case of eye injury wash with cold water put lubricant drops and rush to the eye specialist at the earliest.
• Be warned and follow local laws and guidelines: Always follow rules for safety while using fireworks. Do not buy crackers from unauthorised and non-unlicensed vendors. Also, follow the guidelines on the size and type of fireworks. Protocols for lighting crackers in open spaces and away from residential high-rise apartments are to be strictly followed.

Eye Care Tips For Children To Have A Sparkling Diwali

Dr Neeraj Shah, who is the Chief Medical Officer, Cataract, Cornea & Refractive, at Sankara Eye Hospital, Jaipur mentioned some essential eye care tips for children during Diwali:

• Limit Firework Exposure: Limiting the exposure of children to fireworks which can be exceptionally bright and noisy especially those that produce intense flashes of light is necessary. Protective eye wear while bursting crackers is a must. The eye wear needs to specifically provide safety against crackers.
• Supervision is Key: Children are naturally curious, and they may be drawn to fireworks. Always supervise them closely during fireworks displays to prevent them from handling or getting too close to fireworks, which can result in serious eye injuries.
• Educating on Firework Safety: Teach children about the importance of maintaining a safe distance from fireworks. Ensure that they never attempt to relight a firework that hasn't gone off as intended, as this can lead to accidents. Keep face away from crackers while trying to light them
• Avoid Sparklers: Sparklers, often considered safe for children, can actually be dangerous. They burn at high temperatures and can cause burns or eye injuries. It's best to avoid them altogether.
• Wash Hands Thoroughly: After handling fireworks, ensure that children wash their hands thoroughly. They should avoid touching their face, especially their eyes, until their hands are clean to prevent the transfer of potentially harmful chemicals.
• Stay Away from Cracker Debris: After fireworks have been set off, the area can be littered with debris. Ensure that children stay away from these areas to prevent accidental eye injuries from debris or small explosive materials.
• Use Diyas Safely: Diyas and candles are integral to Diwali celebrations. Teach children to handle them with care to avoid burns or accidents. Always place them out of their reach to prevent accidental contact.
• Prevent Smoke Exposure: Smoke from fireworks can irritate the eyes. If possible, celebrate with eco-friendly and low-smoke fireworks. Keep the area well-ventilated to reduce exposure to smoke.
• Eye Drops and First Aid: Have basic eye drops and a first-aid kit on hand in case of minor irritations or accidents. One should seek immediate medical attention in case of any eye injury during the festive season.

Tips To Keep In Mind During Diwali:

Dr Ananya Ganguly who is a Consultant paediatric and Comprehensive Ophthalmology Services, at Disha Eye Hospitals shared some simple but useful measures for children to protect themselves while burning crackers:

• If a splinter (or something hot and burning) gets into the eyes, immediately wash with plenty of clean water. Use only clean water. Tap water, drinking water - any clean water will do. You can also apply ice or cold compress if possible. It is important to go to the nearest doctor as quickly as possible. Several eye hospitals keep special night and emergency facilities open during Diwali.
• Wearing plain spectacles (without “power”) goes a long way in safeguarding your eyes. At times, accidents happen when someone in a spirit of excitement and adventure, attempts to burst crackers in dangerous ways. This is extremely foolish. Often, we receive patients with injuries from bombs bursting under earthen pots and pans and badly hurting the individual. At other times, a cracker fails to go off initially and thereafter someone attempts to light it again, when it explodes suddenly right on the face of the person. These have been the causes of hundreds of serious injuries during Diwali over the years and should be prohibited.
• Do not cover crackers with glass bottles, tins, boxes, or earthen pots and pans for sound effect or extra impact. They are capable of bursting into tiny pieces and damaging your eyes forever as they fly around in the immediate vicinity. Burst them in an open area under the sky.
• Do not go near crackers that have failed to explode. Try and quickly extinguish any sparks or shouldering bits that you can see, but from a distance.
• If you are wearing contact lenses, it is advisable not to watch or burst crackers and fireworks yourself as they may cause irritation to the eyes if exposed to high heat for a long time.
• In case of an eye injury, remember not to rub your eyes or use home remedies like turmeric powder, coconut oil, etc. in the eye or area around it. If there are any tiny particles inside the eyes, the injury may worsen. Instead, wash your eyes with clean water for about 10 minutes and thereafter consult an Eye Specialist at the earliest.
• Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly with hand wash or soap after making a rangoli or handling fireworks, and before you touch your eyes. Coloured and chalk powder and chemicals used in crackers and fireworks may cause eye irritation and itchiness and in certain cases, irreparable damage.
• Even though fireworks look attractive and bright, it is best to stay away from them. Do not let young children light crackers on their own. If they are bursting crackers, there should always be adult supervision and guidance.
• And finally, keep your ophthalmologist's and nearest Eye Hospital / Eye Care center's numbers handy.