When you think about festivals, Diwali is probably the first one that comes to your mind. Whichever part of India you are from, the weather tends to be pleasant around the festival. There is a lot to look forward to - new clothes, sweets and savouries of various kinds and boxes of crackers and sparklers to play with. It is the perfect time to enjoy time with your family, especially your children. With great fun comes great responsibility - crackers involve playing with fire. Hence, you need to be careful while bursting them with children around. Negligence can lead to injuries, hence you need to be careful.
Fret not for here are tips that you can follow to ensure your children are safe without compromising on the fun aspect:
Choose outfits wisely
The first and most important tip concerning bursting crackers is to wear a light, breathable and comfortable dress made of materials like cotton. This is because natural fibres like cotton, wool and linen burn cleanly, while synthetic fibres melt. Hence, there is a higher risk of fire burns associated with synthetic fibres. Also, refrain from wearing loose-fitted clothing as that increases your risk of catching fire as the surface area of the garment is bigger.
Safety measures for firework
Crackers are the biggest source of risk during Diwali since they can easily catch fire. Some precautionary measures to keep in mind are:
- Buy crackers from a good brand or licensed dealer. They are less likely to be spurious or burst unpredictably.
- Keep a bucket of sand or a fire extinguisher close by to put out flames if required quickly.
- Ensure there are no combustible or flammable crackers near the area where you are setting off fireworks.
- Dispose of used fireworks in a bucket of water to prevent any accidental fires.
- Avoid lighting fireworks while holding them; always place them on the ground before lighting.
- Do not burst crackers in densely crowded areas, choose an open ground or a relatively less-crowded area for the same.
Mindful munching
Diwali involves the preparation and consumption of multiple sweets and savouries. It is easy to overindulge during celebrations, especially with children who may struggle to know when to stop eating. Sweets are often high in sugar, so it is wise to give children smaller portions. Additionally, be mindful of food storage to prevent foodborne illnesses. Ensure that your children wash their hands thoroughly after handling fireworks and before eating, as they can carry toxic chemicals that may linger on their hands.
First aid, on standby
Have a well-stocked first aid kit handy while dealing with fireworks. Ointments for treating burns and cuts are a must. For basic issues, you can treat them at home. Otherwise, you are better off consulting a doctor. Keep a list of emergency contacts, like the fire department or a doctor, readily available in case you need to reach them quickly. In the event of an accident, you might not be able to access your phone, so it is wise to store these contacts in an easily accessible location.
Illumination with caution
We extensively use earthen lamps and candles during Diwali to decorate our houses and light sparklers and crackers. While we have many dos and don’ts for crackers, we often forget about the earthen lamps and candles that we use inside the house. Ensure that you keep them out of your children’s reach and at a good height. A good alternative is to use LED lights or tea lights to reduce the risk of catching fire.
Supervised firework handling
In the midst of arranging everything, it can be very tempting to take a few minutes off and let your children burst crackers, it may not be a great idea. Children cannot manage themselves and may end up getting injured. Hence, it is vital for a parent to be present with children while they handle fireworks. Everything must be done under their supervision to ensure a safe and injury-free Diwali.
Diwali story magic
While safety is a major point of concern, Diwali is ultimately a joyful time meant for bonding, fun, and sharing traditions with family. Beyond the festive lights and sweets, it offers a wonderful opportunity to narrate the stories and values behind the celebration to the children. You can tell them the multiple stories connecting great Indian epics and the festival and can also discuss the significance of the same. This will help them get more acquainted with the culture and comprehend it better.
You can also create a puppet show to describe the stories from the epics. This will ensure that both the tale and the underlying message will stay in the mind for a longer duration. The end result is that the celebration will become a more meaningful one for them.
It’s celebration o'clock!
Host a Diwali party at home and invite family and friends to celebrate the festival together. You can decorate your home with lamps, colourful rangolis and lights to give a festive vibe to the whole arrangement. Since you are inviting families, you can hold contests to make the celebration more fun. Some options are diya painting, rangoli contests, lantern making, preparing Diwali cards and a drawing competition. You can also have a few chaat stations for guests to make their favourite snacks whenever they want.
This will be a great opportunity to enjoy with relatives. Your children can also get a chance to have fun with their cousins and friends. What’s not to love?
Hands-on crafting fun
You can keep your children occupied by giving them craft activities to work on. Some activities to work on are paper lanterns, painting diyas and making rangolis using non-toxic and safe colours. Other interesting activities are making DIY door hangings, preparing fireworks out of paper, creating a Diwali plate and sketching out a mehendi design on paper (which can be replicated on the hand, later).
While it may sound overwhelming to enjoy the festival with children around, following these few basic rules can make it a more child-friendly celebration. Make a plan beforehand and work on everything accordingly. In the process of taking care of everything, do not be so caught up that you don’t end up having fun. Savour each moment of the occasion and make it memorable. Have a happy and safe Diwali!
