Diwali or Deepavali is a festival that is celebrated with great zeal across the country. The term Deepavali comes from two Sanskrit words ‘Deep’ which means light and ‘Avali’ which stands for a row, signifying rows of lights of lamps. Traditionally, Diwali would be celebrated by lighting earthen lamps to symbolize the victory of good over evil. As with all, Diwali happens to be my favorite festival of all time. When I was little, we would decorate the house with flowers, put diyas and lights across all nooks and corners of the house and would then doll up and get ready to burst the crackers.
However, in the modern context, Diwali has been associated with noise and air pollution. The use of excess firecrackers has become the cause of many ailments and injuries thereby making this joyous festival a time for woes and concerns. Release of toxic smoke like carbon mono oxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide cause not only environmental damage but also a ton of health ailments.
For children, Diwali is all about fun. It is about mouth-watering sweets and fireworks. Apart from the health problems that I mentioned, parents were are worried about burns and injuries as well. So, how do we keep our children safe this Diwali? Here are a few safe Diwali tips for kids that can help you.
1. Always keep your child supervised
During Diwali when your house is filled with people, it is very likely that your kids will slip from your sight to play with the crackers. It is during such time that adult supervision is a complete necessity. It is never a good idea to let kids play with fire or crackers all by themselves. Always keep an eye on your kids. Check their pockets for any firecrackers. With younger kids, it is better to keep firecrackers, candles, matches, or any flammable substance away from their reach. This will minimize the chances of injuries and accidents.
2. Always play in open areas
Before starting with all the booms and bangs of the firecrackers, it is better to clean the area. Remove anything that can catch fire and keep it clear so that kids don’t stumble and fall. This will make Diwali safe for the kids. Also, make sure to have ample space for running after lighting the firecrackers. Also, park your car properly and safely to avoid contact with crackers.
3. Avoid loose frilly clothes
Everybody wants to flaunt their fancy dress during Diwali. However, it is never a good idea to wear loose and frilly clothes. Chiffons, nylons, silks, and synthetic dress materials are a big no-no when it comes to handling fireworks. Cotton body-fitting dresses are recommended for kids as well as elders that will help prevent burns or other fire-related accidents. If you have already bought clothes for Diwali for kids that may be unsafe, the last-minute shopping of safe cotton clothes at Amazon could be a life-saver.
4. The position of lighting diyas is important
It is common to light diyas and sparkling lights everywhere during Diwali. Varieties of diyas are commonly available in local markets and via online stores. However, when you have small kids at home, babyproofing and kid-proofing the home is of utmost importance. It is not a safe Diwali practice to light diyas on the corridors or passageways of the house. Kids tend to run a lot near the doors or hallways. So make sure to steer clear of putting any fire-related items there. We also tend to put diyas near curtains or upholstery items. With kids around, it is best to avoid decorating diyas or candles near such areas to avoid any mishap.
5. Electrical lightings should be well taken care of
Electrical lightings are another common thing to decorate the house. There are a lot of decorative light options and you can check them out here. While it is relatively safe to use them at home, take appropriate precautions to avoid any short-circuiting or other electrical accidents. Kids tend to put their fingers in electrical sockets resulting in shocks. It is better to keep all lighting equipment above the reach of your kids. Also, check for all extensions and keep them in a secure place well away from the reach of your children.
6. Never let your kids be barefoot
It is quite uncommon for kids not to wear shoes during Diwali. Yet, take care to ensure that your kid does not take off his or her shoes. Avoid lose frilly footwear with laces or ribbons which can easily catch fire while playing with fireworks. Discourage kids to step on the burnt crackers as it can also cause injuries if the sole of your shoes is of thin material.
7. Never let them re-burn an already burnt cracker
A very common thing kids tend to do while playing with crackers is to try to re-burn or re-light a fused cracker. This is a very dangerous thing to do. Always discourage your kid to not attempt to re-light a fused cracker as they tend to surprisingly burst, causing injury to the eye or your body.
8. Protect kids from smoke and loud noise
Firecrackers emit a lot of chemicals that are very harmful to kids. The rise in air pollution during Diwali contributes to a large number of health problems for all, especially to young kids. It is also harmful to toddlers and newborn babies to inhale this toxic smoke as their lungs are still young and not fully mature. Exposure to loud noise can also cause a lot of harm in young kids. The eardrums and the ear canals are still in the developing stage. Exposure to high-intensity noise can rupture, damage, hurt, and impact their development. I would recommend keeping crackers to a minimum. Teach your children to celebrate Diwali as a festival of lights. If your child has any respiratory disease or you have a newborn, protect him/her by keeping them indoors. Have a noise and smoke safe Diwali.
9. Teach kids not to throw firecrackers at others
Kids are innocent but at times they do things that can harm others. Sometimes, kids tend to throw firecrackers at others or their own stuff. This can lead to someone getting hurt or even damage to property. You must pay attention to this. You should also teach kids not to hurl crackers at stray animals. Teach them to love and respect the lives of others and not cause pain to them for their own fun. Steer clear of experimentation of any kind with fireworks.
10. Maintain cleanliness while handling food
Kids can run to and fro playing with crackers and then come back home to eat a snack/sweets. Keep in check that they wash their hands every time they come to eat something. Their hand can be soiled with harmful chemicals and they can be ingesting chemicals along with all the food. If you are a mother to a toddler, be mindful of what they put in their mouth. These steps will ensure that your child doesn’t fall sick due to all the chemicals.
11. Keep a bucket of water ready for any emergency
Anticipate accidents and be prepared. So make provisions for all the necessary safety requirements. Keep a bucket of water readily accessible. It can come in handy in case of an accidental fire. In case your kids get any burns, dipping the hand in water is a quick remedy. Having a first aid kit with ointments for cuts and burns will also be greatly beneficial. Keep all the necessary medicines in a designated place so that you can find them quickly when needed.
Young kids are very sharp and perceptive. Talk to them beforehand about the risk of injury and how to prevent it. Involve kids in the preparations and teach them about the importance of Diwali, as a festival of lights and not just about crackers. Educate them on the importance of having an eco-friendly and green Diwali for kids. Make them aware of the environmental and health hazards which are caused by crackers. Tell your kids what goes into the preparation of firecrackers. This may help you to make your kids settle for fewer crackers this Diwali. With the money saved, buy more sweets, clothes and donate them to orphanages or people who are less privileged. Diwali is a festival of lights and by sharing, they can learn to light the lives of others apart from their own.
Have a happy and safe Diwali for kids! Please leave comments below and let us know how you take care of your kids during Diwali.
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