The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `Classify crackers as per children's age'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 24, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Classify crackers as per children's age'

Staff Reporter

Parents can choose fireworks that suit their children The 25-year-old Burns Association of India honoured people who had saved burns victims in the State with commitment awards and certificates

CHENNAI: Speakers at the annual Burns Day called for age-wise categorisation of firecrackers to ensure safety for the children.

The 25-year-old Burns Association of India honoured people who had saved burns victims in the State with commitment awards and certificates.

Awards distributed

R. Nataraj, Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, distributed awards on Saturday to Government employees and individuals who had saved fire victims. Those who were honoured included nurses of the Burns Ward of the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, Nagapattinam Collector J. Radhakrishnan for his work during the Kumbakonam school fire, R. Chandralekha, nursing superintendent at the Government Hospital at Kumbakonam, and fire service personnel Indar Kumar, who was awarded the President's medal for his work last year. Senior nurses from St. Isabel's Hospital, lawyers and philanthropists associated with treatment and rehabilitation of fire accident victims were also honoured.

Mr. Nataraj said in the past two years there had not been fire accidents caused by bursting of firecrackers. At the function held at Vidya Vinaya Vinodha MHS School in Besant Nagar, Mr. Nataraj told children: "We are not saying don't burst fireworks but don't cross the limit."

He said as a child he too enjoyed Diwali with fireworks but now there was more awareness about child labour and the need for cleaner atmosphere.

He recommended categorisation of fireworks and urged students to observe the safety precautions.

"Lack of elementary precaution is the reason for accidents. Our policemen are trained in rescue and emergency treatment of victims," he said.

Mathangi Ramakrishnan, secretary of the association, called for age-wise classification of firecrackers that would enable parents to buy suitable fireworks for their children.

The association is part of the International Society for Burn Injuries, which was set up after World War II to care for victims.

Children who participated in the oratorical and painting contest also received prizes.

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