Diwali: Play it safe, caution doctors

But firecrackers burst in a tin box or a rocket lighted up after placing it in a glass bottle can be quite dangerous. Burn specialists and plastic surgeons are on 24-hour emergency call during Diwali.

The Sassoon General Hospital and Surya hospital have their special burns wards ready for any casualty.

Avoiding mishaps during the festival only needs the supervision and vigilance on the part of those celebrating the festival, said Devendra Potphode, chief of the Fire Brigade division of Pune Municipal Corporation.

Pothode said that this year, stringent conditions were laid down for licence to stall owners for selling firecrackers. 8220;Against the usual 50-60 distress calls every day, we have been getting only three-four calls so far,8221; said Potphode. About half the injuries during Diwali are burns, especially in the face, hand, wrist or arm, says Dr Jaisingh Shinde, Chief surgeon at Surya Hospital.

Loss of eyesight and damage to eardrums were also likely. Doctors have urged that firecrackers be lit in an open area and a bucket of water kept ready nearby for any eventuality.