National Burns Centre Educates 31,488 Students Across 208 Schools On Firecracker Safety Through Diwali Awareness Campaign

Navi Mumbai's National Burns Centre (NBC) recently educated 31,488 students from 208 schools about fire safety, burn prevention, and first aid during the Diwali season. The awareness campaign, conducted through presentations and workshops, focused on teaching students the dos and don'ts of Diwali celebrations, precautions for using firecrackers and lighting diyas, and how to respond to fire emergencies.

Dr Sunil Keswani, a plastic and cosmetic surgeon at the NBC, explained that the initiative aimed to educate children, who could then share the knowledge with their families. Every year, the center receives around 20 to 25 burn cases during Diwali, many of which could be prevented with proper safety measures. Dr Keswani emphasized the importance of exiting a burning building immediately, using the staircase instead of the lift, and employing the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" technique if clothes catch fire.

He also advised students on responding to gas leaks, handling electrical sockets, and cooling burn injuries with running tap water. The NBC issued an advisory urging citizens to burst crackers only in open spaces, wear cotton clothes, keep a bucket of water handy, and never light firecrackers while holding them. Special precautions were recommended for various types of fireworks, such as placing anars on flat ground and keeping sparklers away from clothes.

Fathers and children were identified as a significant cause of firecracker-related burns, while women were more susceptible to diya-related burns due to festive clothing catching fire. Senior citizens were advised to be extra cautious during poojas due to their slower response times. A 24-hour burns helpline (022-27793333) is available for immediate assistance.