Fireworks have long been part of the Indian celebrations and festivities. It is a common sight to witness a surge of burn injuries on Diwali night or the following morning. Calling these incidents "accidents" feels unfair because so many of them could be easily prevented with basic awareness and simple common sense. It is especially heartbreaking to see young children suffer burns while they were simply enjoying their favourite festival, something they had eagerly waited for all year. Simple tips on safe firecracker handling can reduce avoidable harm during the celebrations. By spreading awareness and promoting responsible celebration, these tips seek to minimise avoidable harm and ensure that festivals remain joyful, memorable, and safe for everyone. Dos - Fireworks/Firecrackers handling Buy fireworks of authorized/reputed manufacturers only. Choose "green crackers" where possible. Read and follow all instructions on the cracker packaging Wear close-fitting cotton clothing and sturdy footwear Burst crackers in open spaces, away from people, animals, and flammable materials. Light only one firework at a time, by one person. Others should watch from a safe distance. Keep the fireworks to be used at a safer place. Dispose of all used or un-ignited crackers by dousing them in water first Organize a community display of fireworks rather than individuals handling crackers. Always use a long candle/'phooljhari' for igniting fire crackers and keep elbow joint straight to increase the distance between the body and the crackers. Wash hands thoroughly after handling firecrackers. Always have a bucket of water or sand, or a hose pipe, readily available for emergencies. In the event of fire, extinguish flame by pouring water from the buckets. Every major fire is small when it starts. In case of burns, pour large quantity of water on the burnt area. In case of major burns, after extinguishing the fire, remove all smoldering clothes. Wrap the victim in a clean bedsheet. The patient should be taken to a burns specialist or a major hospital. Don't panicky. In case of eye burns, wash the eye with tap water for 10 minutes and take the victim to a hospital. Don'ts - Fireworks/Firecrackers handling Don't try to make or modify firecrackers (e.g., carbide gun) at homes Don't ignite fireworks while holding them (except sparklers, with caution) Don't bend over the fireworks being ignited. Don't ignite fireworks in any container. Don't use firecrackers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don't approach immediately to the misfired fireworks. Don't re-light "dud" crackers; wait and douse with water. Don't tamper with misfired fireworks. Don't allow small children to handle fireworks. Don't throw or point fireworks at other people. Don't carry fireworks in the pocket. Don't store firecrackers near burning candles and diyas. Don't light firecrackers in narrow by lanes; preferably use open areas and parks. Don't wear loose, synthetic, or flowing clothes. Secure all clothes properly. Don't apply any cream or ointment or oil on burnt area. Don't drive recklessly while taking a burn victim to the hospital; a delay of up to one hour is immaterial. Don't light flying fireworks if there is a heavy wind Do’s and Don’ts for each of the types of firecrackers used in India Firecracker Type Do's Don'ts Flowerpots (Anar /Fountain) Place the flowerpot on a firm, flat, non-combustible surface (e.g., concrete, bare ground). Ensure there are no flammable materials nearby (dry leaves, paper, cloth). Light the fuse with a long incense stick or punk stick, keeping your body at arm's length. Stand back quickly after lighting. Keep spectators at a safe distance Don't lean over the flowerpot while lighting it. Don't place it on uneven surfaces or where it can tip over. Don't hold the flowerpot in your hand while lighting or after it's lit. Don't try to ignite a flowerpot that has malfunctioned or only partially burned. Don't use it indoors or in enclosed spaces. Sparklers (Fuljhadi) Hold the sparkler at arm's length. Light one sparkler at a time. Wear closed-toe shoes and cotton clothing. Keep a bucket of water nearby to immediately douse spent sparklers (the metal stick remains hot). Ensure adult supervision, especially for children. Consider having children wear gloves. Don't give sparklers to children under 5 years old. Don't hold multiple sparklers at once. Don't wave sparklers near people, especially faces or clothing. Don't run with a lit sparkler. Don't touch the hot metal stick after the sparks fade. Don't throw spent sparklers on the ground where others can step on them. Ground Spinners(Chakri) Place the spinner on a smooth, hard, flat surface (concrete, tile) where it can spin freely. Ensure the area is clear of all obstructions and flammable materials. Light the fuse with a long incense stick and immediately step back. Supervise children closely, keeping them at a safe distance from the spinning cracker Don't hold the spinner in your hand. Don't light it on uneven ground, grass, or sand where it might get stuck or flip over. Don't try to stop a spinning chakri with your foot or hand. Don't approach it if it stops spinning prematurely; it might still ignite suddenly. Don't use it indoors or in crowded areas where its unpredictable movement could cause injury. Rockets Use a stable launch tube or a sturdy bottle (half-filled with sand/soil for stability) to support the rocket vertically. Ensure the launch tube is firmly embedded in the ground or securely held. Do not use Plastic bottle to Light the rockets If using a Glass bottle, use a thick Glass bottle as thin bottle might itself explode and cause injury Point the rocket upwards, away from buildings, trees, overhead wires, and people. Light the fuse with a long stick and step back quickly. Check wind direction to ensure it doesn't fly towards populated areas. Use in a very open, clear area with ample vertical and horizontal space. Light rockets from terrace when there is not much wind. Avoid Lightening Rockets from ground level if there are nearby open shops Don't hold rockets in your hand or launch them without a stable base. Don't launch rockets from glass bottles if they are likely to shatter on launch. Don't point rockets horizontally or towards any person or property. Don't try to launch a rocket that has a damaged stick on fuse. Don't launch near dry leaves, tall grass, or any other flammable material. Don't attempt to retrieve a rocket that has landed on a rooftop or in a dangerous spot. Bombs / SoundingCrackers (Sutli Bomb, Atom Bomb, Lar/Garlandof crackers) Use these only in extremely open and uncrowded areas, far from residences and animals. Place the bomb on the ground. Light the fuse with a long incense stick or punk stick and retreat immediately to a safe, covered distance. Be aware of noise pollution and legal time restrictions for bursting Never hold a bomb in your hand while lighting or after lighting. This is extremely dangerous and a common cause of severe blast injuries and amputations. Never use or make improvised explosives like a Carbide Gun Don't throw bombs at anyone or anything. Don't light bombs in narrow lanes, near buildings, or in crowded areas. Don't place bombs inside any container (like a bottle, tin, or clay pot) to amplify sound; this can create dangerous shrapnel. Don't go near a bomb if it fails to explode; wait a long time (at least 20 minutes) and then douse it with water before disposal. Snake Tablets (Naag Goli) Place the tablet on a non-combustible surface (e.g., metal tray, concrete slab). Use outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Light with a match or lighter, keeping your face and hands at a safe distance from the fumes. Supervise children, as these still involve a chemical reaction and heat. Don't inhale the smoke directly, especially if you have respiratory issues. Don't touch the "snake" while it's forming or immediately after, as it can be hot. Don't use indoors without proper ventilation Don't allow very young children to handle or light them unsupervised. Source : Guidelines for Safe Handling and Use of Firecrackers in India, Trauma and Burn Division, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India