With most of us gearing up for the upcoming Diwali celebrations, toddlers too anticipate fun and enjoyment on their way. Diwali is one of the major Indian festivals and the preparations start way in advance. But while celebrating this festival you will need to keep the toddler safe on Diwali with your sincere eye and ample precautions against firecrackers and the pollution they cause.
Kids are dynamic and they love to experiment. So when toddlers see elders lighting a rocket that shoots away in the sky and splatters a lot of colorful sparks they are bound to get mesmerized. They will want to see the magic happen again and again or perhaps want to touch the glittery spark. Here are some tips for you to make sure that your toddler is safe on Diwali.
15 Tips To Ensure Your Toddler Stays Safe This Diwali
With lights shining brightly all around, the festive spirit and the glee, the celebrations and the noise of the crackers, toddlers get stimulated. With such tiny exploratory brains around you need to be more careful to ensure their safety. Around 54.3 % of cases of burn injuries occur during the Diwali celebration due to firecrackers (1). So, you need to ensure that the festivities do not leave any scars behind. Below are a few tips to keep in mind this Diwali:
1. Do Not Leave Kids Unattended
Firecrackers, candles, and matchsticks are all potentially dangerous and can harm you and your kids. Make sure that your kids are supervised when lighting crackers. Toddlers can be fearless and careless at times, so you need to watch them closely lest an accident happen.
2. One at a Time
Toddlers can become overly excited amidst the colorful crackers and may want to watch more of them crackling together. Firecrackers burn with a very unpredictable tendency which may easily cause burns (>2). Light one cracker at a time, enjoy it and then proceed to the next one. Never burn multiple crackers in front of your toddler >as they can catch fire quickly and burst.
3. Lighting
Do not light diyas (earthen lamps) on the passageways in the house or near any curtains or upholstery items. Buy good lighting equipment to avoid any short circuits and other electrical accidents (3). Make sure the lights are installed above the height of your toddler and all extensions are well secured. Let there be no lights, candles or diyas on the doors and hallways where kids will be running around.
4. Keep a Bucket of Water Handy
It is best to be prepared for any unwanted accident. In case of fire simply pour ample water. You may want to put the used firecrackers in water since the leftover gunpowder can cause accidental fire irruption. You can also keep a blanket should the need arise.
5. Practice Beforehand
You can add to the growing excitement of your toddler by practicing for the D-Day with them. You can practice holding agarbattis (incense sticks) or candles while lighting crackers from a distance.
6. Ensure Proper Clothing
Festivals are the perfect occasions for flaunting fancy clothes, but make sure that your toddler changes before lighting crackers. The ghaghras (traditional skirts) and the dupattas or the sherwanis are perfect for the puja, but dress them in something more sensible when they go out to burn the crackers. Even if they are too young to burn them, dress them in body-fitting cotton clothes to avoid accidents (4). Any kind of flowing clothes are a big no-no, they are simply more susceptible to catching fire!
7. Inspect Your Surroundings
It’s a good idea to secure a proper place for lighting crackers. Make sure the place is free from obstructions and vehicles. The area should have plenty of air and there should be enough room to run after lighting the crackers.
8. Buy Stuff From Reputed And Known Shops
This applies both to the firecrackers as well as food. Diwali is not just firecrackers: Do not let your kid associate Diwali with just firecrackers. It is also about the diyas, the festivities, the sweets, and friends and family. Indulge your toddler in other activities and plan get-togethers as well as games for them.
9. Firecracker Handling
Do not let your kid carry firecrackers in their pockets. Store firecrackers safely in a place and hand them one by one. Impose this strict rule that all kinds of firecrackers should be lit only at the designated place and that’s definitely not within the house! The upholstery, cylinder and other inflammable objects inside the house can increase the chance of accidental fire (5).
10. Good Shoes
Make sure your toddler is wearing proper footwear with no flowing laces or ornaments. Running around barefoot can easily burn their feet not knowing where a piece of hot firecracker landed! Good shoes, which cover their feet will ensure your toddler stays safe on Diwali.
11. No Re-Trials With Fire-Crackers
Toddlers get easily disappointed if a firecracker turns out to be a fused one. Discourage them from attempting to light the used firecracker again, some have the tendency of surprising by bursting suddenly and causing injury.
12. Be Sensitive to Noise
Exposure to smoke and such loud noise is not good for toddlers. They are still developing and such exposure may impact their development or even hurt their hearing (6). It is best to let your kid enjoy it for a while and then take them inside for other fun activities.
13. No Playing With Firecrackers
Teach your toddler not to hurl the firecrackers at others or on their stuff. This may hurt them and damage the property too. Do not let your kid experiment with the firecrackers. The crackers should be lit as per the instructions printed on it.
14. Sweets And Food
If you are preparing sweets and food yourself, then there is nothing like that. However, if you plan to buy them, make sure you go to reputed shops and buy only as much as you need. Most sweets lose their freshness in 24 hours so stocking them beyond requirement may not be sensible. Sometimes cheap places sell spurious materials which may pose a threat to your family (7).
15. Environmental Factors
Diwali would be best celebrated by going green. If you have to light firecrackers, buy a very small quantity. Air pollution rates get 5 to 6 times higher when Diwali festivities end (8). Plus, the loud noises scare the pets, and babies, and can be pretty troublesome for the elderly.
Kids have very fertile minds and you can chance upon such festivals to teach them their significance. Keep your toddler safe on Diwali with your constant vigilance. With the above tips, open your doors for Goddess Lakshmi to bless you and your family with health and prosperity!
FAQ’s
1. Are Fireworks Safe For Toddlers?
No, fireworks are not safe for toddlers. They are too small to handle such poisonous, inflammable and risky objects alone.
2. How do You Keep Small Children Away From Firecrackers?
Keep your toddler away from firecrackers by making a safe observing area for them such as a corner of the balcony or the lawn. One parent can light up the candles and firecrackers while the other can be in charge of looking after the toddler’s safety.
3. How do I Prepare my Toddler For Fireworks?
Prepare your toddler for fireworks by saying that there will be loud noises, splashes of light and a burning smell so that they do not get frightened. Make them wear close-fitting cotton clothes for safety as well.
4. Are Fireworks Bad For Toddlers’ Ears?
Yes, fireworks with loud sounds are definitely harmful for the tender ears of your toddler. That is why using soundless fireworks or keeping a safe distance is necessary when you have a toddler at home.
References
- Kalita, Kabita & Gurindagunta, SwamyVivek. (2021). Fire-cracker burn injuries during Diwali, a seasonal and preventable epidemic. Indian Journal of Burns. 29. 70. 10.4103/ijb.ijb_29_21. – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361160625_Fire-cracker_burn_injuries_during_Diwali_a_seasonal_and_preventable_epidemic
- Tandon R, Agrawal K, Narayan RP, Tiwari VK, Prakash V, Kumar S, Sharma S. Firecracker injuries during Diwali festival: The epidemiology and impact of legislation in Delhi. Indian J Plast Surg. 2012 Jan;45(1):97-101. doi: 10.4103/0970-0358.96595. PMID: 22754162; PMCID: PMC3385409. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3385409/
- Department of Delhi Fire Services, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi – https://dfs.delhi.gov.in/dfs/fire-safety-precautions-against-electricity-0
- Vachhani Speciality Care Hospitals – https://www.vachhanihospital.com/blog/tips-for-preventing-burns-during-diwali-celebrations/
- Wen-xia Ye, Investigation and Identification of Fire Caused by Setting off Fireworks,
Procedia Engineering, Volume 135, 2016, Pages 427-430, ISSN 1877-7058, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2016.01.151. – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705816001557? - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) – https://www.asha.org/news/2024/fireworks-can-cause-permanent-hearing-loss-but-simple-steps-can-prevent-harm-this-july-4th/
- Momtaz M, Bubli SY, Khan MS. Mechanisms and Health Aspects of Food Adulteration: A Comprehensive Review. Foods. 2023 Jan 2;12(1):199. doi: 10.3390/foods12010199. PMID: 36613416; PMCID: PMC9818512. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9818512/
- Vineet Pratap, Upal Saha, Akhilesh Kumar, Abhay K. Singh, Analysis of air pollution in the atmosphere due to firecrackers in the Diwali period over an urban Indian region, Advances in Space Research, Volume 68, Issue 8, 2021, Pages 3327-3341, ISSN 0273-1177, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2021.06.031. – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273117721005020
