Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
A cracker of a Diwali
|
Make sure your celebrations are safe
|
HAVE A BLAST But exercise caution when you play with fireworks
The festive season is here again and brings with it a whole gamut of light, sound and colour and memorable experiences for you and your loved ones.
While we are busy decorating our homes and shopping for new apparel, footwear, jewellery and accessories, for ourselves, for our homes and for loved ones, let’s spend a few moments and make a conscious effort to gift ourselves and everyone we interact with a safe Diwali.
Let’s take a look at some of the dos and don’ts that will render this and any other occasion that involves fireworks safe.
The don’ts
Don’t attempt to relight a dud. It could still go off and have even less of a wick. Let it sit for several minutes and then douse it with water.
Don’t use fireworks or sparklers indoors.
Don’t carry firecrackers in your pocket. They’re explosives and can go off prematurely even if they’re not lit.
Don’t light fireworks in metal or glass containers
The dos
Do read and follow the label directions. It’s a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often people ignore the directions.
Do light firecrackers away from combustible materials such as buildings, trees, dry grass and other obstacles.
Do bury your fireworks at least halfway down into a bucket of sand angled at a trajectory away from spectators and combustibles.
Do have water handy (garden hose and bucket) to soak fireworks after firing.
Do light a firecracker at arms length, standing back and keeping your face away.
Do douse sparklers with water and allow them to cool in a safe place away from children. The ends of sparklers remain hot for some time, and will easily burn a child’s skin, clothing, or nearby combustible material.
Do arm yourselves in advance with information on how to administer First Aid to the injured person.
For superficial burns
* Remove the child from the heat source.
* Remove clothing from the burned area immediately.
* Run cool (not cold) water over the burned area (if water isn’t available, any cold, drinkable fluid can be used) or hold a clean, cold compress on the burn for approximately 3 to 5 minutes (do not use ice, as it may cause the burn to take longer to heal).
* Do not apply butter, grease, powder, or any other remedies to the burn, as this increase the risk of infection.
* If the burned area is small, loosely cover it with a sterile gauze pad or bandage.
* Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain.
* If the area affected is small (the size of a quarter or smaller), keep the area clean and continue to use cool compresses and a loose dressing over the next 24 hours. You can also apply an antibiotic cream such as Burnaid, formulated form Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) a scientifically proven natural substance having therapeutic benefits. This is gentle and non-toxic and offers fast and ongoing relief from the pain of burns.
Seek medical help when
The burned area is large, even if it seems like a minor burn. For any burn that appears to cover more than 10 per cent of the body, call for medical assistance. And don’t use wet compresses because they can cause the child’s body temperature to drop. Instead, cover the area with a clean, soft cloth or towel.
The burn comes from a fire, an electrical wire or socket, or chemicals.
The burn is on the face, scalp, hands, joint surfaces, or genitals.
The burn looks infected (with swelling, pus, increasing redness, or red streaking of the skin near the wound).
(Elder Health Care Ltd.)
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
