Title - Safety message gets louder this year

The message to handle firecrackers safely has got louder this festival season with the Fire personnel keen on taking the do’s and don’ts to the public. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has stressed the need for adhering to safety guidelines.Firecrackers might have become synonymous with Deepavali, but being cautious while bursting crackers is vital, according to Fire and Rescue Services Department. The department has been involved in creating awareness of how to burst crackers in a safe way among public and school students.At Tirupattur, the Fire personnel held a series of awareness initiatives to ensure a safe Deepavali. “We have distributed about 10,000 pamphlets at the bus terminus and other places where people converge. We also conducted awareness campaigns at almost all government schools in Tirupattur town during the morning assembly,” K. Venkatesan, Station Fire Officer of Tirupattur, said.A rally was also held to send across the message to the public, he added. “We put up stickers on buses, autos, school vehicles, trains and noticeboards of schools. We created awareness among passengers at the Jolarpet Railway Station not to carry firecrackers on trains. The Divisional Fire Officer, Vellore, participated in the programme,” Mr. Venkatesan said.

Children should burst crackers only under adult supervision and wear slippers. Motorists and pedestrians should also pay extra caution while moving on roads during Deepavali, he said.

S. R. Chandran, Divisional Fire Officer, Vellore, said rockets should be lit in open areas away from huts and combustible materials. “People should not burst crackers in the middle of the road as it might affect traffic. Crackers which make too much noise should be avoided as it could cause health hazards,” he said.

The TNPCB, Vaniyambadi, has also distributed pamphlets stressing on safety measures. It has urged the public to avoid bursting crackers which produce too much noise from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crackers should not be burst near hospitals, schools and courts. It has also urged the public to keep a bucket of water or sand close by while bursting crackers as a precautionary measure.

E. Kalivaradhan, Chief Medical Officer of Tirupattur Government Hospital, said crackers should be burst at a safe distance from the body to protect the eyes. In case of burns, water could be poured on it and the person should seek medical help.

Mr. Venkatesan pointed out that wearing cotton clothes was advisable and loose-fitting clothes should be avoided while bursting crackers.