Fire and Burn Safety During Diwali and Kalipuja – Precaution – Types of Burns – Treatment – Burn Emergency

• 6th November 2024

• Diwali and Kali Puja are a festival of lights. Lamps, candles, oil diyas, electrical lights and even firecrackers are a part of the decoration and celebration.
• It is very important to celebrate the event with family, children, friends taking care of safety from fire.
• Some precautions and safety practices can keep all of us safe and enjoy the light, fireworks, decoration with oil diyas, candles, decorative lights.
• Place the oil diyas, candles on a stable platform away from curtains, fabrics, inflammable objects.
• Keep pets away from the area where there are lighted candles, diyas and fireworks
• Buy fireworks from dependable sources manufactured by licenced vendors following safety standards.
• Burn fireworks in a open area, where the sky is clear and no building or structure will be an obstacle to ariel fireworks. Keep safe distance from the fireworks. Avoid burning fireworks near trees and vehicles.
• Keep an eye on children while they are burning fireworks. Only allow safe fireworks.
• Lastly, be mindful of the environment. Clean up the remains of burnt fireworks and dispose of them responsibly to minimize pollution and fire hazards.
• Dispose burned fireworks post burning, then pour water to cool the empty shells before disposing it safely.

Follow these safety tips to have a Diwali, Kali puja full of happiness and enjoy the lights.

Few types of burns and first aid tips

Types of Burns

• First-Degree Burns (Superficial burn over the skin): These burns affect only the visible top layer of the skin (epidermis). They appear red and dry, and are usually painful. Burns that effect only the outer surface of the skin. The skin may appear reddish with some dryness and painful to touch.
• Second-Degree Burns (Epidermis and part of the dermis): There can be blister, redness, swelling. It is mostly painful. Healing can 2-3 weeks. There may be scar on the impacted area.
• Third-Degree Burns (Beyond the dermis upto tissues): This is a severe type of burn injury. It may burn up to the deep tissues. The skin can appear charred and get a whitish appearance. The nerves can also get injured preventing the feelings of pain initially. This condition needs emergency medical attention with admission in burn department or ward of any hospital with modern burn unit which is equipped to manage such emergency medical condition.

First Aid for Burns

• First-Degree Burns: Hold the burned area under running water for 10-15 minutes. Do not use ice or ointments. Use a sterile gauze to cover the area. Then do take the person to a doctor for examination of the area if required.
• Second-Degree Burns: Use clean running water over the area to cool the skin. Do not use ice or any ointment without medical advice. There may be blisters and never pop the blisters. The area must be cleaned with running water and dried with a clean towel or soft cloth and cover it with a sterile gauze. Do consult with the doctor within the next day.
• Third-Degree Burns: Contact the emergency hospital number immediately. Keep emergency phone number of hospitals with burns unit. Do call and get the burn victim admitted for emergency burn care.

Burn units or burn wards in hospitals with burn department has specialized facility to manage third degree burns that needs emergency admission in burn unit. These are specialized medical facilities where team of doctors from various disciplines as per requirement of the patient coordinate together to deliver required treatment to the patient.

The first and second degree burns hospital where there is burn opd one can get opd consultation with doctor for 1st and 2nd degree burns. Required medical tests, medical management is suggested in prescription.

Desun Hospital in Kolkata and Siliguri has one of the most advanced burn units managed by experienced team of doctors. A burn ward has specialized burn care infrastructure. Third degree burns are very critical and needs specialized treatment. Desun hospital has opd facility where for minor burn wounds and injuries patients with prior appointment can consult with doctor for medical advice. Desun hospital has many success stories in burn patient care. In case of any types of burns like fire, chemical, electrical etc can visit Desun Hospital Department of Burn Care.

• ByDesun Hospital