Chandigarh, 26 October, 2024: To enhance fire safety during festive celebrations, especially Diwali, the municipal corporation’s fire and emergency services have released detailed safety guidelines for residents and shopkeepers.
Citizens are advised to thoroughly review these fire safety instructions. Key recommendations include having fire extinguishers, buckets of water, and sand readily available when using fireworks. The guidelines stress that used fireworks, such as sparklers and rockets, should be immersed in water or dry sand to prevent accidents.
Moreover, fireworks should be ignited at arm’s length, with individuals turning their faces away for safety.
The municipal corporation emphasizes the importance of closing windows and other openings to prevent firecracker debris from entering homes. Close supervision of children handling fireworks is also crucial. In the event of minor burns, the guidelines recommend pouring cold water on the affected area and consulting a doctor if necessary.
The corporation cautions against re-lighting any fireworks that fail to ignite on the first attempt and advises keeping lit oil lamps, candles, and incense sticks at a safe distance from fireworks. Furthermore, it is essential to avoid storing combustible materials near buildings and refrain from lighting fireworks close to cracker shops.
Additional safety measures include prohibiting the use of candles, lighters, or matches inside cracker shops, as well as preventing the use of damaged or loose electrical wiring. Only authorized and permitted quantities of fireworks should be utilized, and “no smoking” signs must be prominently displayed. Maintaining a safe distance between lights, bulbs, and fireworks is critical for preventing fire hazards.
