This Diwali, say No to firecrackers

They smash acceptable decibel levels and can cause severe injury. In Jaipur, an explosion at a factory producing them killed 18, including 10 children. Is it now time to enforce a carpet ban on firecrackers? Speak Up finds out

Firecrackers should be banned
I believe that crackers should be banned. They are harmful in many ways, and add to both, noise as well as air pollution. We have a laissez faire attitude when it comes to protecting the environment. Many people become asthmatic during Diwali. It's no wonder that more and more people are choosing to leave the city during the festive season. Diwali is a festival of lights, and there are other ways to celebrate it. Manufacturing of crackers involves child labour. The government has already passed resolution against child labour, but it is still prevalent in small towns. By banning the manufacture of firecrackers, we will be able to solve this problem.
—Sahil Mehta

It's an essential part of the festival
I don't think firecrackers should be banned. Along with lights and rangoli, firecrackers are an essential part of the festival. Noise-free fireworks are a good solution to the problem of noise pollution. Flower crackers, parachutes, and those that go high up in the sky and burst are good alternatives. The worst part about firecrackers is that young children are made to work. The noise pollution, too, is at its peak during this time of the year. People living in societies and buildings suffer because of the noise, smoke and the fact the firecrackers are lit in enclosed spaces. It is more troublesome for senior citizens and infants.
—Vishant Janawade

There should be laws to prevent child labour
Banning firecrackers won't solve any of the problems — pollution, child labour, and so on. It should be made mandatory for manufacturers to stick to the firecrackers where the noise and air pollution are minimal. I don't believe that we should ban firecrackers completely, as both, children and adults, enjoy them. But there need to be stringent laws.  Manufacturing of crackers should be made fully automatic. One of my cousins lit a faulty firecracker and injured his fingers; his right ear was also badly damaged.
—Milind Dumbare

We have to be responsible and act sensibly
Firecrackers should not be banned completely as small ones like rings-flower pots can be used instead of big ones, especially those that make too much noise. Firecrackers have always been a part of the festival, but times have changed. And we should keep in mind the negative impact of fireworks on the environment. It also affects the health of people. My uncle, who is an asthmatic patient, faces acute sore throat problems, and has frequent asthma attacks during Diwali. We should also remember that there is excessive noise pollution during festivals like Navratri and Ganesh Chaturthi, as well. So we should act sensibly and act responsibly this Diwali, and make an effort to curb noise and air pollution. While enjoying the festivities it's important to adhere to deadlines.
—Tanuj Shah

Exercise caution, don't harm your body
If you are not cautious, you can end up with severe ailments. We get a lot of patients after Diwali suffering from allergies and in more serious cases, bronchitis. Asthma patients, especially, must exercise caution. Diwali is a festival of joy, but one should not harm one's body. One day of careless play can lead to 15 days of illness. During Diwali keep the following this in mind:
- Avoid busting firecrackers close to your ears
- Avoid travelling to areas with heavy noise and air pollution
- Cover your nose with a cloth or a handkerchief
- Stay as far away from firecrackers as possible
- Avoid touching the gunpowder in crackers
—Dr. Jayesh Ranawat. ENT Surgeon

Protect your pet from the noise
The sound of firecrackers bursting is 10 times louder for animals like dogs. So, while we humans might just find it loud, for animals it sounds like a bomb blast. Many dogs even die of cardiac arrests or go off food because they can't handle the stress during the Diwali season. Some shiver, and are prone to fits and convulsions. I have seen cases where dogs get stress-related diseases like anorexia. Animals that are already sick get sicker, and many may run away from their homes in an attempt to escape from the noise.

The situation is even worse for strays. As they do not have a home, they tend to run away from places where loud crackers are being used. In doing so, they may enter another dog's territory. So the number of casualties during this season automatically increases.

Taking care of your pet may vary depending on its breed and temperament. Every animal has its own personality, and personalised care is essential. Sedatives and anti-anxiety drugs de-stress animals and prevent them from going into shock. Those who want to avoid side-effects caused by allopathic drugs can opt for homeopathic medicines. Please consult your vet.

If possible, dogs should be housed in an air-conditioned room, and be given a mild sedative, so that they don't have to inhale the smoke. The other option is to take your pet on a vacation away from all the noise pollution.

Since cats have a tendency of running away, it is a good idea to place them in a clean room. Keep a litter tray in the vicinity.

Birds should be taken good care of especially because they are trapped in a cage and have no place to go. The cage should be placed in an area that is free from pollution. Adequate water should be given, and B-complexes can be added to the water to de-stress the animal. The best alternative is to light a diya instead of bursting loud firecrackers.
—Dr Deepa Katyal. Veterinary surgeon and animal activist