Come festive
season and the spirit of the season is sure to rub off on everyone, most of all
children. Not without reason, for what can be a better time than Diwali when
they have a break from the routine of school, dress up in new clothes, gorge on
sweets and most of all have oodles of fun bursting firecrackers. This is also a
time that often has parents on tenterhooks, worried about the safety of
children, with enough and more newspaper reports talking about freak accidents
that have left children hurt.
It is absolutely
imperative therefore to ensure that you take adequate safety measures for your
children to be able to enjoy the season the way it is meant to be. Here are
some MUST DOs, this Diwali season:
Adult Supervision – While in Delhi
at least, the fate of sale of firecrackers hangs in balance this time with the
Supreme Court judgment, if bursting of firecrackers is allowed the one thing
that is imperative is adult supervision. It is a common sight to have adults
engaging in hospitality with their guests or busy with card parties and
children running in and out of the house taking more supplies of firecrackers
to be burst. Not having a responsible adult with the kids is a compromise you
cannot afford to make from a safety standpoint.
Safety Precautions – Even if there
is an adult with the child, it always helps to explain the safety precautions
to the child well in advance so the child is informed and hence safe. Small
things like telling the child that lit crackers should not be relit or that
long incense sticks work best, can go a long way in ensuring safety.
Cracker disposal – Ensure that
the burnt crackers are disposed off safely, preferably in a bucket of water to
ensure that the child doesn’t step on a hot, partially burnt cracker. Also
remember to keep a bucket of water, fire extinguisher and a first aid box
handy.
Safe clothes – A part of the fun of
Diwali are those ethnic clothes that look ever so gorgeous and give a whole new
hue to the festival. While flowing, synthetic clothes are great for Diwali Puja
for example, ensure that the children are dressed in well fitting clothes when
it is time for them to take on the firecrackers.
Candles and diyas – Children love
to illuminate the house with candles and diyas. Ensure you make it a point to
see that these are not being lit around flowing upholstery as it can be a
potential danger alarm.
Eat well – Not all Diwali accidents
arise on account of firecrackers. Food is a very important aspect of our
celebrations and if not done right can lead to a whole lot of problems. Each
year there are enough and more reports about spurious sweets harming people. Be
sure to stick to reliable stores as also be watchful of what your children are
eating. As far as possible stick with home cooked food.
Life lessons – Besides keeping the kids
physically safe, Diwali is the best time to teach kids life lessons in empathy
so that they value the safety of other people as well. Sensitizing them to the
needs of the elderly who are disturbed by the sound of fire crackers or people
suffering from diseases like asthma, or even to the plight of pets, not to mention
the overall impact of fire crackers on pollution levels can go a long way in
the children valuing the safety of others.
May we wish you great Diwali
& a super year ahead!
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