The Diwali season will keep Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and doctors busy. While the former will carry out firecracker and noise pollution tests, cases of eye burns and other injuries will flood clinics.
City hospitals advice people to take precautions while bursting crackers during the festival and are prepared to treat patients with injuries.
Jehangir Hospital director and CEO Dr George Eapen said, “We have 24-hour emergency service and adequate number of doctors to handle patients with burns and other such accidents.”
Ruby Hall Clinic director (medical services) Dr Sujata Malik said, “If people avoid crackers it would not only prevent injuries but will also help to control noise and air pollution. We have arranged for all emergencies and can give immediate aid to patients.”
Doctors said that there is a substantial increase in eye, ear, throat, and skin infections during Diwali.
Pune ENT Association president Dr Seemab Shaikh said, “We see a rise in patients with respiratory infections during Diwali. We advice people suffering from asthma and other respiratory infections to stay away from crackers. The noise produced from crackers damages ear drums so one should use ear plugs during the festival. Cracker injuries can cause blunt and penetrating injuries to the eye which can be dangerous.”
“Crackers used during this festival contain carbon, manganese, sulphur & other chemicals which can damage the eye because of thermal (heat) component. Eye injuries are one of the major causes of loss of sight and hence precautions must be taken while lighting crackers,” said Dr Jeevan Ladi, an eye surgeon. People often complain about skin rashes and itching caused by air pollution.
Dermatologist Dr Dilip Shah said, “The contents in crackers cause contact dermatitis which is a kind of skin infection. Hence, people should wash their hands after touching crackers. The superficial burns caused by crackers may lead to loss of pigments in skin and thus people should wear long sleeves.”
Ruby Hall Clinic chest specialist Dr Mahavir Modi said that bursting crackers increases the level of sulphur dioxide which causes respiratory infections. “Fireworks can be hazardous as it emits sulphur dioxide, along with other harmful gases, which increases the risk of an attack in asthmatics. It can cause bronchial asthma in children and people suffering from respiratory infections should stay away from crackers,” he said.
Precautions for a safe Diwali
Keep children & pets out of range before lighting fireworks
Keep a bucket of water and running hose nearby
Soak spent fireworks in a bucket of water before disposing them
Only ignite one firework at a time
Sparklers can reach 2,000 degrees Celsius
Never attempt to re-light a ‘dud’
Do not throw or kick firecrackers at passing people or vehicles
When lighting fireworks do not bend directly over it
Never pick up failed firecrackers as it can explode
Do not hold a firecracker in hand while lighting it
Save your eyes
Don’t press the eye with the palm or hand, lest the injury may get compounded.
Don’t tie cloth, across the eye firmly. This can cause undue pressure on the eye. Protect the eye with a cup of a shield. An ice-cream cup can be an excellent device to cover the eye. The same can be fixed with cello tape.
In case of chemical injury, wash the eye well with clean water .It is better to avoid washing eye in case of mechanical injuries.
Don’t neglect any eye injury, however trivial it may look. It is always better to rule out vision threatening problems.
For asthma patients
Arrange indoor activities with
friends, family
Dusting/ painting of house in absence of asthmatics
Be regular with your prescribed dose of inhalers
Carry ‘quick-relief’ inhalers for emergencies
Consult doctor immediately if symptoms aggravate
Avoid stepping out in evening hours
To avoid ear and throat infections
Use masks and handkerchiefs
Stay away from the fume that comes out when the cracker is burst
Use ear plugs to reduce damage to eardrums
Burst crackers in open air
Precautions for skin infections
Avoid using utna and soaps with perfumes, make it at home instead
Avoid using perfumes and ittar on skin directly
Wash hands after bursting crackers
Have a bath after coming home from pollution caused by crackers
In case of burns
Hold the wound under running tap water till the burning sensation reduces
If fingers or toes are burned, try and separate them with dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressings
Avoid any kind of friction or pressure on the wound
Cover the wound with a moist sterile bandage (do not use a blanket or towel to cover the burns)
Consult a doctor for proper medication
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